Metro Denver Homeless Initiative

10/23/2026

Our partners at The Family Tree have been posting about and hosting events on the topic of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Family Tree Domestic Violence Services (DVS) provide individual advocacy and group support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. DVS increases immediate and long-term safety through civil and criminal legal advocacy and crisis interventions. DVS also provides teen and adult community workshops.

Access their resources or read more about their services by visiting: https://thefamilytree.org/domestic-violence-services/

10/22/2026

As part of our ongoing commitment to driving data-driven, measurable change across our region, MDHI team members joined the Built for Zero (BFZ) Learning Session hosted by our partner Community Solutions in Seattle, Washington.

This year’s powerful theme was "Call to Action". The conference brought together national leaders and community partners to accelerate efforts to reduce homelessness. Sessions included strategies for coordinating housing, health care, and public safety around a shared aim, discussing real-time data and how it translates to housing placements, leveraging communications and storytelling, and celebrating what we have accomplished so far.

We are excited to bring these national insights and best practices back to Metro Denver as we continue building a stronger, more responsive housing system for our community.

10/16/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, bringing focus to the reality that housing and safety are deeply interconnected.

In our work across the region, we are constantly reminded that safe, stable housing and personal safety are deeply interconnected. For many individuals and families trying to leave an abusive situation, the lack of secure housing is the single greatest barrier they face. At MDHI, we remain deeply committed to ensuring that our regional systems provide reliable pathways to permanent stability and a safe, stable place to call home.

If you or someone you know needs confidential help or emergency shelter in Colorado, support is available around the clock -

* Use the Colorado Domestic Violence Program Search to find local advocacy services: https://tinyurl.com/mdhi-gethelp

* National Domestic Violence Hotline - call 800.799.7233 for resources 24/7

* National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline - call 866.331.9474 for resources 24/7

* Not sure if you’re experiencing Domestic Violence? Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/denver-gov

10/15/2026

In her new TED Talk, Destination: Home CEO Jennifer Loving shares why prevention is essential to our broader efforts to end homelessness and what becomes possible when communities can intervene before people lose their homes.

Metro Denver is one of 10 across the country working with Right at Home USA, an initiative of Destination: Home, to scale homelessness prevention and help shape a national approach.

Targeted prevention creates an opportunity to respond early, before a temporary setback becomes homelessness. In partnership with Right at Home USA, we’re building an approach tailored to our community’s needs while contributing to a broader understanding of what effective prevention can look like nationwide. We’re proud to be a part of this work and to see homelessness prevention brought to the TED stage!

Watch the full TED Talk by clicking here:
http://go.ted.com/jenniferloving

10/15/2026

The New York Times recently highlighted Metro Denver's hard work at reducing homelessness in an opinion piece. Author German Lopez writes, "Denver has recorded the biggest recent drop in street homelessness among the largest U.S. cities, according to my analysis of local data. The city’s drop was roughly 13 times the national rate in 2025, the most recent year for federal statistics. Since 2023, Denver’s unsheltered population is down 64 percent."

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/13/opinion/homelessness-unhoused-denver-shelters.html

It takes doing things conservatives and progressives both dislike.

10/14/2026

Members of the MDHI team recently returned from an important trip to South Bend, Indiana, to meet with the Right at Home research team at the University of Notre Dame’s Laboratory for Economic Opportunities (LEO).

MDHI was joined in South Bend by pilot leaders from Alaska, Nebraska, and Philadelphia. Together, we worked directly with LEO’s research team to refine the tactical, on-the-ground details of our targeted homelessness prevention pilot. A key focus of our work was incorporating the Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) element into our program design across all ten national sites.

Moving from theory to practical application alongside national peers was an energizing way to roll into an exciting October for Right at Home!

10/13/2026

MDHI hosted our very first donor event to mark 30 years of MDHI last Thursday! It was a great evening of connection and reflection, as we celebrated three decades of regional impact. And thanks to the incredible generosity of our attendees, MDHI officially met a surprise $4,000 matching grant!

With this momentum, we are excited to launch our End-of-Year Giving Season. In honor of our 30th Anniversary, we’ve set a goal to raise $30,000 for 30 years of MDHI. These funds directly support our work, which includes providing trainings, hosting database tools, powering dashboards, expanding capacity, and both coordinating and strengthening our regional response to homelessness.

You can help us reach this goal by donating online at www.mdhi.org/donate.

10/12/2026

MDHI honors and acknowledges that Colorado is located on the traditional territory and ancestral home of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute nations. More than 48 tribes and nations call Colorado home, and we recognize that Indigenous peoples are the original stewards of this land. MDHI is grateful for and celebrates the ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities across Metro Denver.

Housing, land, and community are deeply interconnected. Today and every day, we reflect on our region's history and how it informs our ongoing work to strengthen local housing systems. MDHI remains committed to listening, learning, and working together toward supportive housing solutions for all.

10/06/2026

Last week, members of MDHI's team who bring their own lived expertise to our work recently joined our Right at Home Committee LE advisors to attend the Lived Experience Leadership Conference in San Jose, California - hosted by Destination: Home.

The event was an inspiring celebration of community and leadership. It featured an art gala highlighting creators with lived experience, professional headshot sessions, and included meaningful sessions centered on mutual support and honoring LE voices.

Seeing individuals bring their lived expertise to the forefront and guide local solutions was a powerful reminder of the purpose of our work and our shared mission.

10/02/2026

Yesterday, members of the MDHI team attended Adams County Government, CO's event: Elevating Voices Art Showcase & Market at the Crossroads Community Center.

It was an inspiring night celebrating the creativity and talent of local artists with lived experience. From stunning artwork to great conversations, events like this remind us of the power of community and storytelling through art. Plus seeing everyone show up in costume made the evening especially fun!

Thank you to all the artists who shared their work and stories with us. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Pictured: Nellie Stagg of Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Lindsey Earl of Adams County Government, CO, Sarah Rutledge and Laura DiTroia of MDHI