Hunger and Homelessness: How Denver Compares to 24 American Cities

Yesterday, our Kristin Pazulski provided an overview of a new report on hunger and homelessness released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which examined the topic based on numbers from 25 cities, including Denver. As Pazulski, noted, Denver was in the middle of the pack in many areas, leaving plenty...

By Michael Roberts

December 16, 2014

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Yesterday, our Kristin Pazulski provided an overview of a new report on hunger and homelessness released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which examined the topic based on numbers from 25 cities, including Denver. As Pazulski, noted, Denver was in the middle of the pack in many areas, leaving plenty of room for improvement -- and that point is underscored by a deeper dive into the data.

Continue to see how Denver ranked in a slew of categories, including increases in total homelessness, pounds of food distributed, budget size and more, with the figures illustrated by photos from our Sleeping on the 16th Street Mall slide show. Also included is the complete hunger and homelessness survey.

NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE DENVER = 7th LARGEST INCREASE Continue for more information about how Denver compares to 24 American cities when it comes to hunger and homelessness, including additional photos and the complete report. BUDGET FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE OVER THE PAST YEARDENVER = 5th LARGEST DECREASE Continue for more information about how Denver compares to 24 American cities when it comes to hunger and homelessness, including additional photos and the complete report. NUMBER OF UNACCOMPANIED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ENTERED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OVER PAST YEARDENVER = 12th MOST UNACCOMPANIED INDIVIDUALS, 10th MOST FAMILIES Continue for more information about how Denver compares to 24 American cities when it comes to hunger and homelessness, including additional photos and the complete report. POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED OVER THE PAST YEARDENVER = 15th MOST Continue for more information about how Denver compares to 24 American cities when it comes to hunger and homelessness, including additional photos and the complete report. CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OVER PAST YEARDENVER = FOURTH LARGEST INCREASE Continue for more information about how Denver compares to 24 American cities when it comes to hunger and homelessness, including additional photos and the complete report. OUTLOOK FOR NEXT YEARDENVER = MODEST INCREASE IN EXPECTED NUMBER OF HOMELESS FAMILIES, MODEST DECREASE IN EXPECTED NUMBER OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, RESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER EXPECTED TO REMAIN THE SAME

Here's the complete document:

Hunger and Homelessness Survey.pdf

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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