DENVER, Colorado

Starting point: Rural/urban tensions, deteriorating confidence in government, new mayor elected in Denver

Organizing strategy: Regain trust in government by making public policy deliver tangible results. Fix Denver, then move on to state

Tools: Common sense programs that save money while delivering social value

Outcomes: Growing confidence that government can be effective

Prime Sources: denvergov.org and Wikkipedia for Denver and John Hickenlooper

“100,000 Homes Campaign. As part of the national 100,000 Homes

Campaign, we are working to house our most vulnerable neighbors.

This effort is not only humane, but also cost effective and fiscally

responsible. Chronic and vulnerable homeless people are often the most

difficult to house, as well as the most at risk for dying on the streets. Their

homelessness also costs public systems far more than the straightforward

cost of permanent supportive housing. In July 2012, the 100,000 Homes

Campaign announced that Denver is one of only 15 cities nationwide that

is measurably on track to end vulnerable and chronic homelessness. A

community must consistently move 2.5 percent of its chronic and medically

vulnerable homeless neighbors into permanent housing each month to

be considered on track to addressing this need. Exceeding the 2.5 percent

mark is a difficult and noteworthy accomplishment that proves that Denver

is not just talking about ending homelessness, but actually doing it.”