Caught in a cycle, people seek a new home after latest Denver encampment sweep
DENVER (KDVR) — The city of Denver has reasons why it did not offer housing to people living at an encampment at 8th Avenue and Navajo Street, which was swept up on Tuesday.
Housing is not offered in cases of public health, public safety, right of way or private property infringement, according to the city.
“It’s hard. It’s very hard, and they suspect for us to basically move around like a circle,” Alabama Jackson said.
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Jackson is part of a group of people looking for a place to rest for the night. After this latest sweep, Jackson and others are going to move wherever they can set up their tents.
“Like a cattle,” Jackson said. “Like we’re their horse, and they just jump on our backs every now and again.”
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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s office acknowledged folks at this encampment were not offered shelter, and the encampment was swept because it was a hazard to public health.
For Jackson and others like him, it’s another experience in this repeating cycle.
“If we’re in the alleyway, they come through the alley so they say we’re on private property,” Jackson said. “If we’re on the streets, they’ll tell us we’re on private property, and we can’t really go nowhere.”
The city said it offered long-term case management services as a means for people to escape homelessness.
“Some of us try to get a job,” Jackson said. “Some of us try to do better.”
City officials also encouraged people to stay in shelters.
“When we’re asked where we should go, they say we should go to the shelter,” Jackson said. “Most of us don’t even want to go to the shelter.”
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People get their things stolen in shelters, including whatever means they may have to try to get a job, Jackson said.
“I don’t have a Social Security card, birth certificate or anything like that because it has been stolen,” Jackson said.
The city said its “All In Mile High” initiative will continue to focus on closing encampments through the offer of housing.
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