Arvada is selling the building they purchased to run a homeless shelter and navigation center. Just like what happened in Lakewood, these centers were sprung on residents with little notice about actual details.  People who may support the unhoused as a general conception may not support millions of dollars in spending in a previously undisclosed location.

It turns out, residents did not like the concept as much as officials thought they would.

Arvada officials listened to resident opposition and are now selling the building, unused. Completely opposite to Lakewood, who is expanding their program already.

Read original article: City of Arvada to sell proposed homeless resource site following community pushback

Dodging a Bullet

By listening to residents, Arvada might have dodged a funding bullet. Lakewood’s homeless shelter is budgeted to spend almost $4 million per year, almost all from outside sources.  Lakewood, on its own, cannot support this level of services.

With federal funding now in question, which funnels to state grants, future funding is not looking so rosy. Colorado is already facing a $1 billion budget shortfall. And funding was never guaranteed in the first place.

Arvada may prove to be twice wise by divesting an investment that cannot be funded.