Mayor of Denver, Colorado · Pop. 713K
All Promises (4)
Target: 1,000 in 100 days by October 2023
Actual: 1,034 people moved indoors
Johnston declared a state of emergency on homelessness on day one and launched House1000. By January 2024, the administration had moved 1,034 people into safe, stable, and transitional housing including hotels, non-group shelters, and a new micro-community — exceeding the target slightly ahead of schedule.
Source: Axios Denver, Denver Mayor's Office, Denverite
Full analysis →Target: 2,000 by December 31, 2024 by December 2024
Actual: 2,500+ moved indoors; 350+ blocks closed to camping; 45% reduction in street homelessness
The All In Mile High initiative surpassed its goal, bringing more than 2,500 people indoors and permanently closing over 350 blocks to camping by end of 2024. Street homelessness in Denver dropped 45% over two years — described as the largest multi-year decrease in unsheltered homelessness of any major US city.
Source: Denver Mayor's Office 2024 report card, Denver Gazette, Denverite
Full analysis →Target: Crisis ended by 2027; ~$90M total cost by 2027
Actual: Spending: $155M (72% over $90M estimate); street homelessness down 45% but total count grew
While street homelessness dropped 45% (a historic achievement), the city was on track to spend $155 million between July 2023 and December 2024 — $65 million more than Johnston previously said it would cost. A Denver Gazette report found that total homelessness (including those in shelters) actually grew despite the spending. The 2027 endpoint remains ambitious.
Source: Denver Gazette, Denver Mayor's Office budget documents
Full analysis →Target: Annual public report card
Actual: 2024 report card published January 2025
Johnston released a detailed 2024 report card in January 2025 covering homelessness, safety, housing, and city services with specific metrics and outcomes. The Denver Gazette noted it was the first time a Denver mayor had published such a comprehensive self-assessment with measurable benchmarks.
Source: Denver Gazette, Denver Mayor's Office
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