By Alayna Alvarez, Axios Denver | From bars and breweries to bridal shops and beauty salons, 69 Denver businesses are getting money to offset the negative consequences of nearby homeless encampments.
Why it matters: The unprecedented initiative highlights the magnitude of the city’s homelessness crisis despite a camping ban, the escalating tolls it’s taking on local businesses and the need for innovative solutions.
Catch up quick: Small businesses affected by encampments within two blocks of their property were eligible for a one-time grant of $7,500 or $15,000, depending on their annual gross revenues, if they could provide evidence of slumping sales and related safety issues.
Zoom in: City data provided to Axios Denver shows the majority of grants awarded this month went to businesses near the Five Points neighborhood, a longstanding hotspot for unhoused people due in part to nearby homeless shelters.
● Selected businesses include Great Divide Brewing, Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon, The Lobby, Mile High Spirits and Mercury Cafe.
● Some business owners tell us that their grants will go toward cleaning up after encampments — including waste removal, power washing and fresh paint — while others plan to cover normal expenses like rent and wages.
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Read the full story here:
https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/01/23/homeless-camp-grants-five-points-businesses-restaurants
[Thanks to Alex Teitz for contributing this article! http://www.femmusic.com]
Photo: Denver homeless map | Data: City of Denver; Map: Axios Visuals
January 25, 2024| Colorado Music-Related Business| Barb Dye