The City of Denver is pursuing a master lease of the former DoubleTree hotel at 4040 Quebec St. This effort aligns with Mayor Mike Johnston’s Homelessness Initiative to bring 1,000 people experiencing homelessness indoors and permanently close encampments by the end of 2023. This milestone marks a critical advancement in our commitment to providing units and services for those experiencing homelessness.
When approved, the master lease of the site will mark the third property secured as part of Mayor Johnston’s groundbreaking initiative, reflecting the city’s determination to explore diverse shelter options for those in need. Earlier this year, the Denver Housing Authority closed on its acquisition of the Best Western Central Park hotel at 4595 Quebec St., for conversion to permanent supportive housing. The Best Western has been leased to the city for a nominal cost and is now in use as individual shelter units. The city also closed on the Stay Inn at 12033 E. 38th Ave. for supportive housing.
“This is a significant milestone in our efforts to get 1,000 unhoused neighbors into transitional housing,” Mayor Mike Johnston said. “This property will help us get hundreds of Denverites off the streets and into dignified and stable converted hotel units that will allow us to close encampments and keep them permanently closed.”
Key details of this important development include:
- The site will provide 300 rooms with 450 beds, a commercial kitchen and a laundry facility, and will prioritize the health and safety of individuals experiencing homelessness by providing wraparound services.
- A lease agreement with Rocky Mountain Communities to purchase the site at 4040 Quebec St. and lease the property to the City and County of Denver was passed without objection from the Safety Committee on Oct. 25. The agreement now moves on for full City Council approval.
- As part of the lease agreement, the city will also pay $10,000 for an option to purchase the hotel. This partnership underscores our collective dedication to addressing homelessness and housing instability in our community.
- Pending City Council approval, individuals currently living in encampments may be able to move into the site as early as December 2023, providing a warm and secure environment during the winter months.
- Pending City Council approval, a service provider will manage the site, ensuring that residents receive the support they require to transition toward stability and improved well-being.
As part of the 2023 Homelessness Emergency Budget, the City of Denver will invest approximately $3.9 million to lease and operate the Site. This expenditure is part of the $5.4 million allocation for hotels announced Sept. 12.
The city was also awarded $24.4 million from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs under its Denver-Metro Regional Navigation Campus funding. This State funding supports a once-in-a-generation opportunity to run an innovative Encampment Resolution program in the Denver region. The Site is a critical element of this program, and the State funding will help make the lease, and potential purchase option, possible.
The city will continue to work with community partners and leaders to leverage existing units and bring more hotel units online as well as leverage micro-communities that will allow the city to scale moving people indoors quickly and cost-effectively. We look forward to welcoming the first residents to this new location and the positive impact it will bring to our community.
To access a dashboard and stay updated on our progress, visit denvergov.org/house1000.
