Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston has announced a plan to scale back migrant services by closing four shelters over the next month, aiming to alleviate the city’s budget deficit by nearly $60 million. This decision, motivated by the financial strain of accommodating a significant influx of migrants, reflects the city’s effort to redirect funds back into essential city services.
Johnston emphasized that the closure of these shelters would not result in individuals being left without accommodation; rather, they would be relocated to other facilities. The strategy also includes provisions for adapting to potential future surges in migrant arrivals, which could necessitate reopening or increasing shelter capacities.
The announcement comes in the wake of already implemented budget cuts across various city departments, including reduced operation hours at recreation centers and temporary closures of Denver Motor Vehicle offices, as part of a broader $5 million reduction initiative. These measures have sparked concern among city employees, particularly hourly on-call workers in the Parks and Recreation department, who face significant reductions in work hours.
As Denver grapples with the fiscal challenges posed by the ongoing migrant crisis, which has already cost the city approximately $58 million to support 38,861 migrants, Mayor Johnston has called on federal and state governments for additional support. Despite receiving some funding from these higher levels of government, the city’s expenditures far exceed the financial assistance provided, underscoring the need for a sustainable solution to the migrant crisis and its impact on local resources.