Denver Jail Diversion Program Receives Million From Treasury Department

Five years ago, Denver launched a program that provides stable housing to people in frequent contact with jail, detox centers, and emergency rooms. The program has successfully kept residents housed and saved the government millions of dollars. The US Department of Treasury offered Denver $6.4 million to expand the program—if it can demonstrate Medicare and Medicaid savings over the next seven years. “When you make those investments, and you’re intentional about them, you have success, and suddenly, the people that you see that are sleeping outside are no longer homeless because they’re housed,” said Cathy Alderman, chief communications and public policy officer for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.