skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, November 4, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A PA judge allows Elon Musk's $1 million voter giveaway; All eyes on AZ this Election Day, but experts warn of harmful misinformation; To call or not to call? The election night question; Election Day raises new fears over Comstock Act, reproductive rights.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Philadelphia's District Attorney says the city is prepared for any election violence, doctors advise about how to handle Election Stress Disorder, and Oregon has a high number of women in government.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

Denver Voters to Decide on Dedicated Homeless Fund

play audio
Play

Monday, September 21, 2020   

DENVER -- Denver voters will get to decide if the city should create an ongoing, dedicated revenue stream to address the city's growing homeless crisis.

Denver's City Council approved adding a Homelessness Resolution Fund to the November ballot, which would generate up to $40 million a year by ratcheting up the city's sales tax by 0.25%.

Councilwoman Robin Kniech said the measure will help both the chronically homeless and people hit by the economic fallout of COVID-19 get off the streets and back on their feet.

"There are folks who are newly homeless because they lost their job during COVID, there are families with kids," Kniech said. "And this is our chance to help give them an opportunity to restart their lives, to become stable and to help to be a healthier community."

More than one in three Coloradans are worried they'll lose their housing because they can't pay their rent or mortgage, according to a recent Colorado Health Foundation survey, and people of color are disproportionately at risk.

The fund would be used to build housing, improve emergency shelters and provide services for people experiencing or exiting homelessness. The bump in sales tax is expected to cost the average household almost five dollars a month.

Last year, three sales-tax increases were approved, but Denver voters rejected an initiative to decriminalize homelessness and overturn the city's camping ban.

Cathy Alderman, chief communications and public policy officer for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, said she hopes voters will agree creating a dedicated funding source for housing assistance is a good investment.

"We heard through that campaign the slogan 'We can do better,'" Alderman said. "And I think Denver really does want to see us do better, and to address homelessness in a compassionate and responsible way."

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Denver was on the rise even before the pandemic hit. The most recent point-in-time count conducted in January was up by 6% from the previous year, and up 15% since 2018.

Disclosure: Colorado Coalition for the Homeless contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Health Issues, Housing/Homelessness, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative registered nearly 160,000 new voters for the Nov. 5 election, which represents the largest grassroots voter registration program in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Ohio voters are facing significant challenges at the ballot box, with some groups expressing concerns over voter roll purges and gerrymandering …


Environment

play sound

As people head to the polls tomorrow, groups are working to ensure Georgia's Black and brown communities understand the energy saving benefits of the …

Social Issues

play sound

North Carolina lacks laws mandating time off for employees to vote, making it hard for workers who juggle demanding schedules and civic …


The U.S. Census Bureau estimates children ages 0-4 were undercounted in the 2020 census in every state. (Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

According to some experts, a significant undercount in Florida's 2020 census may have lasting consequences for the state, jeopardizing vital funding …

Social Issues

play sound

Online scams are growing in scale and sophistication, affecting millions and creating economic losses estimated at $1 trillion globally in 2023…

Social Issues

play sound

In the race for New Hampshire governor, the future of public education is on the line. Democrat and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig opposes …

Environment

play sound

On this year's California ballot, Proposition 4 has not received much attention but it could have a huge effect on the Golden State. The $10 billion …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021