Denver's homelessness playbook goes national
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston celebrates the city's decline in homelessness at a May 19 press conference. Photo: RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Denver's homelessness strategy is gaining national attention as a possible playbook for Democrats.
Why it matters: Homelessness and public disorder have posed persistent political challenges for the party in recent years. Mayor Mike Johnston's approach offers a path forward for addressing both — and a timely boost to his own political profile as he runs for reelection.
Driving the news: A new New York Times opinion column declares, "We Know How to Fix Homelessness. Look at Denver."
- Editorial writer German Lopez credits Johnston's strategy with producing the largest recent decline in unsheltered homelessness among America's biggest cities.
- "Other cities no longer have an excuse," Lopez writes. "Democrats around the country should figure out how to copy Denver's program."
How it works: Johnston's "All In Mile High" initiative pairs encampment sweeps with expanded shelter, housing assistance and mental health and addiction services.
- Police warn that repeat violations could lead to arrest, while outreach workers offer a place to go, from converted hotels to tiny home villages.
- Johnston says the strategy is simple: When you move people off the street, give them somewhere to go and the support to stay housed.
By the numbers: Denver's latest point-in-time count shows unsheltered homelessness has plunged 64% since 2023.
- Overall homelessness dropped 13% from 2025 — the city's first annual decline in nearly a decade.
Zoom out: Denver's approach has drawn attention beyond the Times.
- The Economist this year featured it as "an answer to a stubborn problem," and the Urban Institute called it a "promising path" in 2025.
Yes, but: The playbook isn't cheap. All In Mile High cost nearly $180 million over two years, paid for with local and federal dollars.
The other side: Critics say the city criminalizes homelessness and pushes people out of sight.
- Expired federal funding also raises doubts about whether Denver can sustain its gains.
State of play: Denver is one of three finalists to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, and Johnston is making the city's homelessness progress part of the pitch.
- Next month, potential 2028 presidential contenders, including Pete Buttigieg, Chris Murphy and Raphael Warnock, will gather in Denver for a post-midterm summit on the party's future.
What's next: Johnston is promising to end street homelessness.
- "I genuinely believe we can do it," he told the Times.