One Colorado county is launching a new program that will spend $3 million on free housing former inmates who are homeless.
They’re planning to use your tax dollars to do it and calling the ex-inmates “justice-involved” individuals.
According to ABC News in Denver, Colorado:
Arapahoe County is moving forward with a plan to provide housing to people experiencing homelessness who often find themselves in and out of the criminal justice system.
The Arapahoe County Commission approved a plan to spend $3 million to provide permanent supportive housing for 80 to 100 “justice-involved” individuals, including recently released inmates and those participating in court-related programs who are homeless.
The money will come from COVID relief funding the county received through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Jackson also told ABC News that she will be seeking additional taxpayer dollars for the program through grants from the State of Colorado.
As for Arapahoe County’s plan, Jackson said she’s hopeful the state will provide grants to help the county pay for the project.
“The state has been super helpful,” said Jackson. “We’ll get some grants I’m sure from them and we will maximize what we can without raising taxes.”
Another program for the homeless that’s funded by COVID dollars and the American Rescue Plan Act is the universal basic income project in Denver for “gender nonconforming” homeless people.
As Campfire Colorado reported in September, that plan allows the homeless to spend the money on drugs and alcohol.