Commentary: Solutions Over Sweeps for Denver Homelessness

A humanitarian crisis is unfolding on the streets of Denver, where homelessness serves as a poignant reflection of systemic failures that permeate all sectors of public policy. Instead of addressing the underlying causes of homelessness, cities like Denver and Aurora have opted to veil the growing homelessness crisis through “Band-Aid solutions” like encampment “sweeps.” Sadly, the discussion has focused more on what to do with “the homeless” and less on what to do for them.

In May 2012, Denver instituted its urban camping ban. To enforce this ban, Denver police and other service workers have forcibly displaced people experiencing homelessness, a not uncommon practice in cities throughout the U.S. Against the backdrop of diminishing affordable housing, the Denver metro area…