The Homeless
Facts About the Homeless in Denver • There are more than 3,900 homeless men, women and children living in Denver. • 60% of the homeless are people in families with children. • 29% percent of homeless respondents in Denver are women. • 40% of the homeless are working. • The most commonly reported reasons for homelessness reported in Denver are loss of a job (28%), housing costs (23%) and the breakup of a family (20%).
War on The Homeless • Although many people are not aware of it, the state has several cities that are in a “war” with the homeless. This “war” mainly serves to prevent the homeless from being on the streets. The main way these cities are doing so is by shutting down public bathrooms. • For example: Early last year, Grand Junction locked up the bathrooms and turned off the water fountain in the Whitman park area which, limited the homeless’ access to clean water, and further they criminalize the homeless who tried to use the restroom. • Yet, there are regulations around the city that prohibit the homeless to urinate in public areas, but what choice are the homeless left with?
War on The Homeless • Community Service project- examine the streets of downtown Denver to see if there are public restrooms for the homeless to use. • Data– Certain bathrooms downtown were available to the homeless like the ones in- shelters, and portal potties- but these are not enough to serve the nearly 4,000 homeless people living in Denver alone. – Fast Food places were not readily allowing the homeless into the restrooms either. Only paying customers downtown were allowed to use these certain restrooms.
War on The Homeless • Data continued– After speaking with the homeless on the streets of downtown Denver, I gained more insight to what their struggle is like • The reaffirmed that there are few bathrooms in the downtown area for them to use and that they are forced to urinate in public areas and therefore are arrested. • One homeless man in particular spoke about the injustices this city has when it comes to the homeless, saying that the issue with homelessness and public bathrooms is ignored until they are forced out into the streets to pee.
Conclusion • Although there are some restrooms for the homeless to use, there aren’t enough to serve the whole community in downtown Denver. With bans shutting down even more available bathrooms like the ones in Grand Junction, the problem is being ignored. If we allowed the homeless to use more of the public bathrooms that people with homes are allowed to use, we would eliminate the issue of public urination, and treat the homeless the humane way that they need to be treated.