The Community Planning and Housing Committee, chaired by Councilperson Diana Romero Campbell, convened on October 7, 2025. The meeting focused on an extensive update from the Denver Permitting Office (DPO) regarding efforts to streamline development review processes, implement a 180-day city review timeline, and establish a fast-track approval system for affordable housing under Proposition 123. Council members engaged in a Q&A session, raising concerns about regulatory burdens, equity, and interdepartmental coordination.
We heard from the community that it was important for us to audit city shelters in light of the mayor's new initiatives to address homelessness. With more than 6,000 people experiencing homelessness in Denver, it is critical for the city programs to serve them effectively. The Department of Housing Stability oversees a variety of Denver's homeless shelters. It funds and monitors the providers that operate shelters. Our audit found risks involving the department's expenses, security, non-discrimination policies, and information protection practices related to shelters. Housing stability agreed with all but one of our recommendations to address these weaknesses. Given the size and scope of our audits, it is important to note this audit did not include emergency shelters temporarily serving the influx of migrants arriving in Denver since December 2022. Our auditors found that housing stability does not adequately ensure safety at shelters. The city contracted with the Salvation Army to operate a shelter at a former hotel and provided them with a security budget of more than $800,000. Months later, the Salvation Army had not yet hired a contractor to manage a security presence at the property. Sadly, two guests were shot and killed. Another guest was shot weeks later. These incidents likely traumatized shelter guests and could have affected the engagement and morale of shelter staff. Our audit also found flaws with reporting expenses. Housing stability was unable to provide documentation identifying overall shelter related spending between January 2022 and March 2024. Based on our review of invoices, we estimated the department spent nearly 150 million dollars in this period. Also, we found housing stability started a policy to not require shelters to provide meaningful documentation for reimbursement. In reviewing the new guidance, we found it did not comply with city rules on supporting documentation, such as requiring original receipts or credit card statements to reimburse cost for goods and services. The department disagreed with our recommendation to end their cost reimbursement policy. Issuing reimbursements without evidence puts the city at risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Sensitive, confidential data of housing guests was left unprotected in a shared drive that staff in other city agencies could access. Separately, our auditors found the Salvation Army's employee handbook conflicts with the contract with the city. The handbook says the Salvation Army will follow non-discrimination law unless it goes against their religious practice.org. Well, that's it for this episode of Ask the Auditor. If you have a question, submit it to auditor at Denvergov.org, and maybe your question will be the next question we ask on the next episode of Ask the Auditor. The challenges our planet's animals are facing sometimes feel a bit heavy. Animals haven't eaten in a day, two days, haven't drank anything, they're cold, they're dehydrated. But remember, there's good happening right now. At home. We were able to get into a unit, and we have all four of your cats to uh, all right. And around the world for any animal, any disaster. You know, a lot of people say when you're going somewhere you don't want to look back. But I beg a different. I can't lie and say it was easy. I looked at everything in a different light. I realize I started with me going back and get my high school diploma. Welcome back to this weekly meeting of the Community Planning and Housing Committee with Denver City Council. Your community planning and housing committee starts now. Good afternoon. Today is October 7th, 2025. We are on Tuesday. My name is Diana Romero Campbell, and I am the council person from Southeast Denver District 4. And I will be chairing our committee today for community planning and housing. Let's go ahead and start with uh council introductions. Good afternoon, we have to start your district five. Good afternoon, Amanda Sandover, Denver District 5. Lucky District 7. Thanks for being here. Great. And then I think I'm just gonna turn it over to you because we get a great overview and update today for the Denver Permitting Office.