Verdict: Partially Kept

End Denver's homelessness crisis entirely by 2027 and keep spending to the $90 million originally estimated.

Mike JohnstonMayor, Denver·July 17, 2023

Source: Campaign platform [link]

HousingMeasurable

What was promised

Metric: Total spending, homeless population

Target: Crisis ended by 2027; ~$90M total cost

Deadline: 2027

What actually happened

Result: 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.

Data sources: Denver Gazette, Denver Mayor's Office budget documents

Verdict: Partially Kept

Some progress was made toward this promise, but the original target was not fully met. Results fell short of the specific commitment.

CityCheck data

See Denver's cost of living and housing data →

Other promises from Denver

Move 1,000 unhoused people into shelter within his first 100 days through the House1000 initiative.

Kept

Move 2,000 unhoused people off the streets and into shelter by the end of 2024 through the All In Mile High initiative.

Kept

Publish a public report card with measurable citywide goals and track progress transparently.

Kept

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