Alternative Solutions Advocacy Project

Move Along to Where? Campaign

The Crisis

The people of Denver have suffered as more individuals and families are pushed to our streets in this pricey
housing market and an economy thats driven up inequality. Instead of responding with compassion, Denvers elected officials
have pursued policies that criminalize the victim. This response to homelessness is inadequate, ineffective, and immoral.

The Congregation Proposal

Our request of you is simple but mighty. Will you host eight homeless guests to
camp on your property from the beginning of winter holidays (late November) to Holy Days (mid April)?
The bare minimums we need from your congregation are:
1) A willingness to embrace all people as human beings filled with gifts, 2) Access to toilets and clean water, 3) A place to
sleep and pitch a tent, 4) A point contact person from your congregation, 5) A willingness to craft a community covenant with
the residents, 6) Placement of a Move Along to Where? campaign banner on your property.
Our hopes for you are: 1) To enter into relationship with your guests, 2) To embrace their cry for justice as your own by
becoming an advocate for an end to the criminalization of homelessness and the creation of adequate housing

City Policy Demands

ASAP is simultaneously asking the city for change.
Immediate Actions:
1. End the criminalization of homeless people and the
arbitrary sweeps that put vulnerable peoples lives and
safety at great risk.
2. Declare an Immediate Suspension of the Camping Ban
and Encampment Cleanup policies until adequate
housings alternatives are in place.
3. Fund one additional case worker per shelter.
4. Provide accessible storage facilities for people to keep
their belongings safe.
5. Shift money saved from policing and jail system to
addiction support services.
6. Provide additional public restrooms and trash cans
throughout the city, particularly downtown.
7. Clear zoning / ordinance barriers when needed to
support congregations and private land owners embracing
alternative housing models, including tiny homes.
Long Term Commitments:
1, End the criminalization of homeless and ensure that
homeless people are afforded space to live in the public
realm with dignity.
2. Develop and fund a Comprehensive Plan to scale up
dignified transitional and permanent housing for those
without current access to homes.
3. Provide transparency, community oversight, follow
through, and communication as plans are implemented.
4. Fund and champion a Day Resource Center.
5. Adopt an aggressive agenda to ensure Denvers
residents are fully and affordably housed.

ASAPs Contribution
Our coalition is leading the charge for political reform. In
addition, we are committing our resources to support
congregations and campers in this plan.
These supports include:
1. Contract and covenant forming guidance. We will
bring in training facilitators to help the relationship
between congregation and campers form in ways
that are mutually agreeable and dignified.
2. Educational Opportunities. These include a
community forum on Dec. 15, a Stations of
Poverty experience conducted downtown, and
in-congregation presentation.
3. Relationship Building Guidance. Non-transactional spaces of connection like shared meals,
overnight sleep-outs, and worship services.
5. A Service Provider Contact Person. Someone to
reach in case of emergency or other needs. May
offer limited as-desired assistance to guests.
6. Financial assistance for renting port-a-potties
and/or water tanks.
7. Legal support. We are working with the ACLU to
provide us with legal research and counsel.
8. Conflict Mediation Services. Mediators will be
available to help congregations and campers
work through any issues that may arise.

Legal Rights

Congregations have a right to offer sanctuary and a place to sleep through two code provisions. First, any
private property owner can allow camping on their property from 8 people or less for any length of time. Second, congregations
are protected under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
{Disclaimer: This is not legal counsel]

For more information contact Nathan Hunt: nathan@interfaithallianceco.org