Denver housing department’s budget under spotlight
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Denver's housing department will reduce its spending next year while working to keep people housed in an increasingly expensive city.
Why it matters: The city's housing department plays a crucial role in helping people stay in their homes with resources like rent assistance.
- The department works to get people experiencing homelessness into housing by connecting them with services.
The big picture: The $226.3 million 2025 budget proposal for the Department of Housing Stability focuses on expanding affordable housing while reducing evictions and unsheltered homelessness.
What they're saying: Denver's chief housing officer Jamie Rife said during a presentation Wednesday that the budget reflects the loss of federal pandemic-era money.
- The department will have $99.4 million less in state and federal funding this year after the aid expired, finance department spokesperson Laura Swartz tells Axios.
Zoom out: The presentation is one of several this week led by city department heads to discuss their spending plans with the Denver City Council, which is responsible for approving the mayor's proposed plan.
Between the lines: The housing spending plan does not include potential revenue from Johnston's proposed tax increase to raise money to build and preserve affordable housing, per Swartz.
By the numbers: The $51.5 million Homeless Resolution Fund, which provides supportive services for people experiencing homelessness, represents the housing department's biggest expenditure.
Other major spending includes:
- $43.2 million for staff and $36.9 million for the All In Mile High, Mayor Mike Johnston's signature program to address homelessness.
Zoom in: The resolution fund's money comes from a local sales and use tax, which are expected to soften, generating $649,000 less for 2025.
Threat level: With eviction cases rising at an alarming rate, the housing department is budgeting $22.5 million for its temporary rent and utility assistance program, which ran out of money last year.
- This program also pays for eviction legal defense advice.
What's next: The Denver City Council plans to host budget presentation meetings through Friday.