Where are Denver’s homeless during the DNC?

Denver’s social service providers beefed up for the Democratic National Convention to make sure that the city’s homeless were well cared for during the chaotic event. But those efforts may have been for naught. According to Greta Walker, spokeswoman with the Denver Rescue Mission, it was business as usual at the Lawrence Street shelter. Though the organization provided 300 more beds than the typical 200, just 250 cots were occupied throughout the week.

“We expected to be full,” said Walker.

The Lawrence Street shelter, which typically serves as a night shelter, was open during the day so that the homeless could watch the convention proceedings on a big screen TV. But only 10-15 homeless people showed up each night to watch, said Walker.

“We think the homeless may have found alternative places to go to that aren’t in the downtown area,” she said. “We don’t have a specific idea of where the homeless are. But it’s not here.”

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