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[00:00.37] The city of Denver built a total of 160 small structures. Denver’s mayor Mike Johnston told the Associated Press (AP) that it took about six months to complete them.
[00:19.41] Each unit costs $25,000, he said.
[00:25.41] One thousand converted hotel units cost about $100,000 each.
[00:34.18] The Melody project in Atlanta took four months to build.
[00:39.94] Each unit costs about $125,000.
[00:46.46] Support workers and security operations cost about $900,000 a year.
[00:56.23] Andre Dickens is Atlanta’s mayor.
[01:00.48] He wants to supply 500 units of quickly built housing on city-owned land by December 2025.
[01:12.01] Few people in Atlanta expressed worry when The Melody was announced last year.
[01:20.27] However, as city officials look to expand rapid-housing areas, they know people might not support the idea.
[01:31.54] In Denver, Johnston said he attended at least 60 meetings with residents in six months as the city tried to find places for the new communities.
[01:45.82] Local residents expressed worry about issues such as waste and safety.
[01:53.33] “What they are worried about is their current experience of unsheltered homelessness,” Johnston said.
[02:03.34] He said city officials needed to show residents that micro communities could be successful.
[02:13.86] With the existing projects, he now says he has some proof to reduce residents’ concerns.
[02:21.39] As for Martinez, he keeps all his belongings ready in case he has to move although he says he feels secure in his small home with his cat, Appa.
[02:34.91] He is now preparing for the next steps in his path towards permanent housing.
[02:41.68] He has a date for a meeting about a new job.
[02:45.68] The next step for him is to receive a document showing he qualifies for financial support from the city to rent an apartment.
[02:56.21] “I’m always looking down on myself for some reason,” he said.
[03:00.96] But “I feel like I’ve been doing a pretty good job.
[03:06.47] Everyone is pretty proud of me,” he added.
