Denver council delays $6 million vote to feed migrants, some want cash assistance reinstated

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The Denver City Council postponed Monday until next week voting on a $6 million contract with a homeless services agency to administer the Denver Asylum Seekers Program, or DASP.

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.

Haven of Hope also will provide food and hygiene products to those in the program. Separate contracts with Vive Wellness and Papagallo will be awarded to find and pay for apartments for them, too.

Anti-immigrant sentiment on rise

The postponement comes as anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise in the Denver-Aurora area. Many residents believe both cities have a Venezuelan gang problem. Politicians and city staffers have given conflicting information about the issue, further aggravating taxpayers. People commenting on articles online have expressed disdain for the migrants.

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.

No cash, religious activities for migrants

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.”

Council members Shontel Lewis, Sarah Parady and Stacie Gilmore all questioned why the city decided not to award cash benefits. Newcomer Director Sarah Plastino said it was under the advice of the city's legal team. Council member Jamie Torres said receiving regular cash benefits could pose problems for the migrants seeking aslyum. When they receive money from a public body, a record is kept. Migrants don't want to appear to be a burden under public charge rules, Torres said.

The council members pointed out that the city funds the Denver Basic Income Project, which awards cash weekly to people experiencing homelessness. They said research has shown people use the money responsibly. Plastino said there was no way to control what purchases would be made with the EBT card. There were worries the money could be used to buy a television, for example.

Council member Flor Alvidrez wanted resssurances that the migrants will be living in well-maintained apartments. Plastino said that will be monitored.

Influx slows to a trickle

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.

But the influx has slowed to a trickle. Just two migrants arrived in Denver Sunday, and none came Monday, according to the city's online migrant dashbard. Four people are staying in a shelter for a maximum of three days, the dashboard shows. At one time Denver sheltered more than 4,000 migrants.

As of July 1, Denver has supported 42,392 newcomers from the southern border at a cost of more than $72 million, according to a statement on the city's website.

"In April, Mayor Mike Johnston announced the creation of the Denver Asylum Seekers Program, which provides long-term support and stability to newcomers who do not immediately have access to federal work authorization," according to the statement. "The first cohort of roughly 800 individuals is currently in the process of applying for asylum through city-backed clinics. As a requirement of DASP, at least one adult per household is committed to at least 20 hours of weekly job training as part of WorkReady Denver. Classes began in June and will run the next several months."