The HomelessThe Homeless

Facts About the Homeless Facts About the Homeless inin

Denver Denver• There are more than 3,900 homeless men, There are more than 3,900 homeless men, women and children living in Denver. women and children living in Denver.

• 60% of the homeless are people in 60% of the homeless are people in families with children. families with children.

• 29% percent of homeless respondents in 29% percent of homeless respondents in Denver are women. Denver are women.

• 40% of the homeless are working. 40% of the homeless are working. • The most commonly reported reasons for The most commonly reported reasons for

homelessness reported in Denver are loss homelessness reported in Denver are loss of a job (28%), housing costs (23%) and of a job (28%), housing costs (23%) and the breakup of a family (20%). the breakup of a family (20%).

War on The HomelessWar on The Homeless• Although many people are not aware of it, the state Although many people are not aware of it, the state

has several cities that are in a “war” with the has several cities that are in a “war” with the homeless. This “war” mainly serves to prevent the homeless. This “war” mainly serves to prevent the homeless from being on the streets. The main way homeless from being on the streets. The main way these cities are doing so is by shutting down public these cities are doing so is by shutting down public bathrooms.bathrooms.

• For example: Early last year, Grand Junction locked For example: Early last year, Grand Junction locked up the bathrooms and turned off the water fountain up the bathrooms and turned off the water fountain in the Whitman park area which, limited the in the Whitman park area which, limited the homeless’ access to clean water, and further they homeless’ access to clean water, and further they criminalize the homeless who tried to use the criminalize the homeless who tried to use the restroom.restroom.

• Yet, there are regulations around the city that Yet, there are regulations around the city that prohibit the homeless to urinate in public areas, prohibit the homeless to urinate in public areas, but what choice are the homeless left with?but what choice are the homeless left with?

War on The HomelessWar on The Homeless• Community Service project- examine the Community Service project- examine the

streets of downtown Denver to see if there are streets of downtown Denver to see if there are public restrooms for the homeless to use. public restrooms for the homeless to use.

• Data- Data- – Certain bathrooms downtown were available to the Certain bathrooms downtown were available to the

homeless like the ones in- shelters, and portal homeless like the ones in- shelters, and portal potties- but these are not enough to serve the potties- but these are not enough to serve the nearly 4,000 homeless people living in Denver nearly 4,000 homeless people living in Denver alone.alone.

– Fast Food places were not readily allowing the Fast Food places were not readily allowing the homeless into the restrooms either. Only paying homeless into the restrooms either. Only paying customers downtown were allowed to use these customers downtown were allowed to use these certain restrooms. certain restrooms.

War on The HomelessWar on The Homeless• Data continued-Data continued-

– After speaking with the homeless on the After speaking with the homeless on the streets of downtown Denver, I gained more streets of downtown Denver, I gained more insight to what their struggle is likeinsight to what their struggle is like• The reaffirmed that there are few bathrooms in The reaffirmed that there are few bathrooms in

the downtown area for them to use and that they the downtown area for them to use and that they are forced to urinate in public areas and are forced to urinate in public areas and therefore are arrested. therefore are arrested.

• One homeless man in particular spoke about the One homeless man in particular spoke about the injustices this city has when it comes to the injustices this city has when it comes to the homeless, saying that the issue with homeless, saying that the issue with homelessness and public bathrooms is ignored homelessness and public bathrooms is ignored until they are forced out into the streets to pee. until they are forced out into the streets to pee.

ConclusionConclusion• Although there are some restrooms for the Although there are some restrooms for the

homeless to use, there aren’t enough to serve homeless to use, there aren’t enough to serve the whole community in downtown Denver. the whole community in downtown Denver. With bans shutting down even more available With bans shutting down even more available bathrooms like the ones in Grand Junction, bathrooms like the ones in Grand Junction, the problem is being ignored. If we allowed the problem is being ignored. If we allowed the homeless to use more of the public the homeless to use more of the public bathrooms that people with homes are bathrooms that people with homes are allowed to use, we would eliminate the issue allowed to use, we would eliminate the issue of public urination, and treat the homeless the of public urination, and treat the homeless the humane way that they need to be treated.humane way that they need to be treated.