To: Tamara Door, Downtown Denver Partnership President & CEO, Pete Meersman, President and CEO, Colorado Restaurant Association, Nick Hoover, Government Affairs Coordinator, Lynn Bishop, Communications Manager, Michael B. Hancock, Denver Cit...
Stop Criminalizing Homelessness - Repeal the Urban Camping Ban
Denver City Council, REPEAL the Urban Camping Ban Ordinance. Colorado Restaurant Association and Downtown Denver Partnership publicly withdraw your support of the Unauthorized Camping Ban Ordinance and request that Mayor Hancock and the Denver City Council repeal it.
Why is this important?
It has been a year since the Urban Camping Ban was passed, and it has had devastating effects on the homeless as demonstrated by a survey conducted by Denver Homeless Out Loud. The callous, "kick 'em when they're down" attitude demonstrated by the Denver City Council, Downtown Denver Partnership and Colorado Restaurant Association is unacceptable and beneath the caliber of our compassionate Denver community. We need to let them know that the Urban Camping Ban is a cruel law that punishes the homeless for trying to survive.
BACKGROUND:
o In May 2012, the Denver City Council passed the Urban Camping Ban Ordinance which essentially makes it illegal to sleep outside anywhere in Denver with so much as a blanket.
o The ban was supported by the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP), of which Tamara Door is President & CEO.
o Wendy Klein, is the Sales Manager for The Palm Restaurant. She testified before the Denver City Council representing The Palm Restaurant and the Colorado Restaurant Association.
o She stated that The Palm’s staff and their clientele are intimidated by the homeless.
o She also stated that the Colorado Restaurant Association voted unanimously to support this ordinance.
o In essence, The Palm Restaurant and all members of the Colorado Restaurant Association felt the homeless were cutting into their bottom lines and, rather than try to find a way to help people out of homelessness by working to increase services and opportunities, they backed a law that criminalized acts of survival while homeless.
HOMELESS FACTS:
o Nearly 13,000 homeless in Denver at any time
o No shelter beds for 90%
o 11,000+ HUMAN BEINGS - Men, Women AND CHILDREN with nowhere to sleep
o 130 homeless men, women AND CHILDREN died in 2011
o 33% of the homeless in Denver are working, 64% are families with children and 42% are women
o 1 in 4 Veterans is homeless (Is this how we care for them?)
o Instead of helping the homeless, this ban has pushed them further to the margins of our city. Sleeping more hidden, they face increased risk of violence, including rape, and lack of sleep (a leading cause of psychological disorders).
o Reasons for homelessness – low wages, job loss, lost home to foreclosure, being a victim of domestic violence, mental illness
o Getting arrested under this ban leaves them with a criminal record, making it even harder to get a job and climb out of poverty.