Denver spends another $6 million on migrants

Photo byBarbara ZandovalonUnsplash

The Denver City Council approved Monday a $6 million contract with a homeless services agency to administer the Denver Asylum Seekers Program, or DASP.

Haven of Hope will maintain a waiting list for the asylum seekers program, which currently serves 865, about half of which are children, according to city staff. More than 42,000 migrants have passed through or relocated to Denver since December 2022, according to city officials.

Haven of Hope also will provide food and hygiene products to those in the program. Separate contracts with Vive Wellness and Papagallo will be awarded to find and pay for apartments for them, too.

Haven of Hope formerly was known as “Father Woody’s.” In January 2021, the Colorado Attorney General announced that Father Charles Woodrich, for which Haven of Hope was named, was a suspected predator and allegedly abused a boy in his home, according to the Denver Gazette. After that, Father Woody’s name no longer preceded Haven of Hope.

No cash, religious activities for migrants

City officials wrote in the contract that Haven of Hope is not to provide any assistance in cash. The contract also forbids the religious organization from engaging “in inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytizing as part of the programs or services funded under this agreement.”

Council members Shontel Lewis, Sarah Parady and Stacie Gilmore all questioned last week why the city decided not to award cash benefits. Newcomer Director Sarah Plastino said it was under the advice of the city's legal team. Council member Jamie Torres said receiving regular cash benefits could pose problems for the migrants seeking aslyum. When they receive money from a public body, a record is kept. Migrants don't want to appear to be a burden under public charge rules, Torres said.

The council members pointed out that the city funds the Denver Basic Income Project, which awards cash weekly to people experiencing homelessness. They said research has shown people use the money responsibly. Plastino said there was no way to control what purchases would be made with the EBT card. There were worries the money could be used to buy a television, for example.

Council member Flor Alvidrez wanted resssurances that the migrants will be living in well-maintained apartments. Plastino said that will be monitored.

A Haven of Hope Official said Monday the organization plans to buy new refrigeration units for the food pantry. Immigrants not in the DASP program also will qualify for food assistance.