If you’ve ever driven through Denver’s bustling streets, you know how quickly the towering skyline gives way to panoramic mountain views. But underneath that postcard-perfect setting lies a stark reality: an increasingly high cost of living and limited housing availability. Over the years, both Denverites and new arrivals have struggled to find an affordable place to call home, exacerbating the broader issue of homelessness. Yet, against all odds—and within months of Mayor Mike Johnston taking office—the city has achieved a milestone that few American cities can claim: zero street homelessness among veterans.
This monumental shift arrives amid a local housing crunch in which skyrocketing rent, low vacancy rates, and limited shelter capacity have threatened to overwhelm support systems. So how did Denver pull off something so remarkable, especially when nearly 32,000 veterans nationwide still experience homelessness on any given night, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development?
Welcome to Denver’s “All In Mile High” initiative—an ambitious program that has harnessed both public and private resources to house, counsel, and support thousands of individuals. But beyond the staggering numbers and policy details lies an inspirational story of collaboration, resilience, and the belief that every person deserves a safe, stable place to rest their head.
A Bold Promise on Day One
Upon stepping into the mayor’s office in 2023, Mike Johnston declared homelessness his top priority. He signed an emergency declaration on his first day in office, pledging that within his first few months, 1,000 people would be offered some form of shelter, either transitional or permanent. Given the city’s notoriously competitive housing market, that promise seemed like an uphill battle.
In a December 19, 2024 press conference, Johnston shared an update that seemed almost too good to be true: Veteran street homelessness in Denver was effectively ended, bringing the city to what experts call “functional zero.” While the term might not be familiar to all, it essentially means that any veteran who finds themselves without shelter has quick access to a safe, private place to sleep—and does not remain unsheltered for long periods.
“That means for the first time ever no veteran has to sleep on the streets in Denver,”
—Mayor Mike Johnston, December 2024 press conference
It’s an extraordinary turning point, one that signals real-world progress in a city many believed was losing its battle against homelessness.
Why Denver’s Housing Crisis Has Been So Tough
Let’s take a moment to understand why this is such a big deal. Denver’s cost of living has soared over the last decade. Neighborhoods that were once affordable to working families, students, and lower-income residents have seen housing prices double or even triple, pricing out many longtime locals. As the local economy boomed—driven by industries ranging from tech startups to marijuana dispensaries—demand for housing outstripped supply. Suddenly, it wasn’t just those living on the financial edge who found themselves facing eviction or foreclosure; middle-class families, teachers, and even some in the military community also felt the pinch.
In this climate, transitioning from street homelessness to a stable rental can be nearly impossible without extensive support. Yet Denver has managed to do it for veterans in record time by combining wraparound services—like mental health care, substance misuse treatment, and workforce training—with strategic use of available city, federal, and nonprofit resources.
The “All In Mile High” Approach
The key to success has been the All In Mile High initiative. Launched immediately after Johnston took office, the program aimed to house 1,000 unhoused individuals by the end of 2023. When that target was reached, Johnston set an even bolder goal: 2,000 people off the streets by the end of 2024.
By December 2024, over 2,200 people had been moved indoors, and 857 secured permanent housing. More remarkably, officials focused an entire branch of the initiative on unsheltered veterans, recognizing both the moral imperative and the administrative feasibility of tackling one clear subgroup. With the help of organizations like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Denver Housing Authority, the Volunteers of America Colorado, and Community Solutions, the city devised a system that identifies and tracks any veteran who becomes homeless and then quickly connects them to shelter and services.
“We are seeing more and more veterans who are willing to accept support and come inside because of the quality of the services being offered,”
—Missy Mish, Section Chief for VA of Eastern Colorado’s Homeless Programs
In essence, Denver built a real-time data pipeline: the moment a veteran is flagged as “sleeping rough,” a coalition of agencies springs into action. The city found that many veterans were reluctant to accept help due to past experiences with subpar shelters or bureaucratic hurdles. By offering short-term transitional housing combined with immediate access to counseling, job training, and a pathway to permanent housing, they removed the typical roadblocks that deter individuals from seeking assistance.
Overcoming Reluctance and Restoring Dignity
Implementing a brand-new system only works if people trust it. Veterans, especially, sometimes face additional hurdles, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or difficulties navigating VA benefits. Denver’s approach was to tackle these barriers head-on.
Peer Support: Veterans often feel more comfortable talking to peers who understand military culture and experiences. So Denver recruited and trained veteran advocates to conduct street outreach.
Streamlined Paperwork: Navigating government forms can be daunting. The city partnered with legal aid organizations to simplify or expedite paperwork for benefits, reducing the stress that comes with bureaucratic processes.
Immediate Beds and Rooms: Nobody wants to be stuck in a waiting list for months. The city expanded transitional housing capacity through creative solutions, like converting unused motels into temporary living quarters or using city-owned facilities.
When done well, these interventions restore a sense of dignity and autonomy—something that can be crucial for veterans who have faced traumatic events in their service or in civilian life.
Impact on the Community
The effort did more than house veterans; it also galvanized local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and volunteers who are seeing firsthand that homelessness is solvable when you invest in both resources and coordination.
“Denver is proving that homelessness is solvable… (using) real-time, person-centered data to drive reductions in veteran homelessness,”
—Melanie Lewis Dickerson, Community Solutions
People from all walks of life, including local businesses and civic groups, have chipped in—offering job opportunities, volunteering to prepare meals, or donating to transitional housing programs. In a city where the word “community” sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of urban growth, the All In Mile High initiative has created a unifying, hopeful narrative: Denver can grow while protecting its most vulnerable citizens.
Real Stories, Real Lives
The ultimate proof of success is the testimony of those who’ve lived through it. Navy veteran Brian Asbeck spoke about his experience:
“After months of hardship, I turned to the VA for help and was introduced to transformative programs. Thanks to these life-changing resources, I’ve not only escaped homelessness, but rebuilt my life.”
Asbeck’s story echoes that of many others who found themselves priced out or otherwise unable to navigate Denver’s housing market. Being brought inside and guided through workforce training or mental health support was the turning point in restoring both hope and self-reliance.
A Model for Other Cities?
For America’s broader homelessness crisis—where an estimated 582,462 individuals experienced homelessness on a single night in 2022, per the National Alliance to End Homelessness—Denver’s achievement stands out as a promising case study. By focusing on a specific population with clearly defined needs and forging partnerships across government agencies, nonprofits, and private providers, the city demonstrated that no problem is too big if broken down into targeted, actionable steps.
Still, Johnston and other city officials caution that this does not solve the entire housing crisis—non-veteran homelessness remains a pressing challenge. But the lesson is clear: progress is possible with courage, data-driven methods, and a willingness to invest in human capital.
How You Can Help
- Volunteer Locally
Contribute time or resources at shelters, food banks, or transitional housing sites. Organizations like Volunteers of America Colorado often need volunteers for outreach. - Support Housing Initiatives
Advocate for policy changes that streamline housing development. Write to local representatives if you see opportunities for affordable housing bills or expansions. - Donate to Veteran Support Services
Direct financial gifts to nonprofits specializing in mental health services, employment training, or direct housing assistance for veterans, such as the VA or Community Solutions. - Stay Informed
Keep up with local government initiatives like All In Mile High. Track expansions, budget allocations, and outcomes—and share that info with neighbors.
One Step Closer to Ending Homelessness
Denver’s success underscores an important message: when a community unites around a clear plan, extraordinary change can happen. By offering veterans immediate shelter and robust support systems, the city has taken a giant leap toward ensuring no one who served their country is left on the streets.
It’s a monumental achievement in a housing market that many believed was beyond repair. And yet, the hope radiating from Denver today is proof that forward-thinking leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and a laser focus on person-centered solutions can, in fact, shift the narrative—turning a housing crisis into a testament of resilience and a clarion call for other cities across America: We can do this, too.