Denver postpones vote on $6M contract for migrant program with homeless services provider

Photo bySohaib Al KharsaonUnsplash

Providers of Denver’s traditionally homeless have been finding unhoused migrants in their lines, too, in search of everything from diapers to shampoo. An organization that for decades has provided services to Denver’s unhoused, Haven of Hope, may land a $6 million contract to administer the Denver Asylum Seekers Program for the migrants.

The council postoned until Sept. 9 voting on the contract. Council members Shontel Lewis and Amanda Sandoval, who asked for the postponement, did not say what additional information they need.

No longer 'Father Woody's'

Haven of Hope formerly was known as “Father Woody’s.” In January 2021, the Colorado Attorney General announced that Father Charles Woodrich, for which Haven of Hope was named, was a suspected predator and allegedly abused a boy in his home, according to the Denver Gazette. After that, Father Woody’s name no longer preceded Haven of Hope.

Preaching not allowed

But now the iconic Denver provider that serves the poor may serve migrants, too. City officials wrote in the contract that Haven of Hope is not to provide any assistance in cash. The contract also forbids the religious organization from engaging “in inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytizing as part of the programs or services funded under this agreement.”

Waiting list already

If the contract is approved, Haven of Hope will maintain a waiting list for the asylum seekers program, which currently serves about 1,000. More than 42,000 migrants have passed through or relocated to Denver since December 2022, according to city officials.

For months, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bussed migrants from El Paso to self-proclaimed sanctuary cities like Denver. With bus tickets from El Paso to Denver costing less than $200, the Mile-High City became an attractive destination.

Just five newcomers arrived Saturday, according to the city’s online migrant dashboard.online migrant dashboard. Officials are encouraging migrants with no friends or family in Denver to move along to other cities, and Denver pays for the tickets.

Homeless hotel contract approved

Also Monday, the council approved a $2.1 million contract with Bayaud Enterprises to operate the 200-room Radisson at 4849 Bannock as a homeless hotel.

According to the contract with Bayaud, the non-profit would be required to:

· Serve approximately 250 unique households annually.

· Provide housing-focused case management, housing navigation, benefits enrollment, “and any other services that promote long-term stability and well-being.”

· Ensure households served throughout the contract term successfully exit to stable or permanent housing.

Ensure households are consistently engaged in rehousing service and attain some form of financial assistance and/or benefit.

· Provide direct services, referrals and/or coordinate with other providers for mental health support, substance use and harm-reduction services, physical health care services, and medical, dental, and vision services.

· Offer help obtaining vital documents.

· Provide transportation assistance.

· Provide employment/workforce development services and/or education, life skills development training and/or education.

· Provide any other programmatic services, as deemed necessary, to help drive housing focused outcomes.

· Provide ongoing reporting and documentation to maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the Homeless Management Information System for client data, services provided, and exits from the program.

· Provide three meals a day for guests.

Must be hospitable to Limited-English Proficient guests

Additional requirements include Bayaud will work with on site shelter operations staff to facilitate environments that are safe, hygienic, and accessible, including for those that are Limited-English Proficient. Staff must be “equitable, inclusive, and hospitable to all,” according to the contract.

“When applicable, or as negotiated with the city, Bayaud will oversee the set up and management of site services such as water, energy, trash, Wi-Fi, internet and telephone services, and Cable TV,” according to a memo from city staff to the committee.

Bayaud also must provide security services onsite. That includes personnel as well as patrol cars and cameras. According to the memo, Bayaud must collaborate with city representatives to notify and address any critical incidents on site,

Neighbors oppose use

Last December, neighbors of the Radisson sounded off at a town hall meeting. They said they did not want to see the hotel operate as a homeless shelter. It previously had been used as a shelter for migrants and neighbors opposed that, too.