Planning Ahead

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The fair market rent for a one bedroom apartment in the Denver metro region is over $1,500/month. In order to afford rent without paying more than 30% of income, a person would have to earn $62,000 annually or $30/hr. Imagine earning minimum wage, about $14/hr, and paying for rent (Source: mdhi.org.) The high cost of rent is the primary cause of homelessness.

Other causes for a person’s homelessness include family break-up, job loss, past evictions, abuse or violence at home, substance use disorders, mental health disorders, disabling conditions, exits from foster care, discharge from jails or hospitals without support systems, and many other factors- traumatic factors- with a lasting effect.

It’s simply not true that providing for basic human needs is “enabling.” Actually, when people can escape survival mode in a safe, peaceful setting, they can begin to re-engage higher-order thinking. With access to sleep, food, warmth, bathrooms, basic hygiene. . . and then healthcare, public benefits, job support, legal help, and mental healthcare, they can become more stable. To change lives long-term, Mission Arvada is committed to addressing the root causes of homelessness and the deeper needs of our clients. We support over 50 individuals annually to obtain housing. We are a community force that advocates for solutions to homelessness.  Our services, partnerships, and funding change over time, but our mission doesn't waiver- To help the poor, marginalized, addicted, and homeless as Jesus taught us to do.