Why are people homeless? IHN finds that most families seeking our help have lost their jobs and are unable to afford their rent. Others have experienced a serious illness in the family or have credit problems.

The cost of housing. Fair market rent in Denver Metro is $847 for a two-bedroom apartment. To afford a the average two-bedroom apartment a family needs to be making more than $16 an hour. This is more than 300% of the minimum wage. (National Housing Coalition)

It’s not just about shelter. Homelessness is about more than just the need for shelter; an array of complex  economic, social, and health factors must be addresses as well. This is a devastating experience for families, and they pay an ongoing emotional price as they struggle to maintain normalcy in the midst of chaos. The odds are stacked against lower-income families, especially in an area such as greater Denver.

What is IHN of Greater Denver?

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Denver is a unique approach to serving homeless families. Through a partnership of diverse communities of faith, IHN of Greater Denver provides emergency shelter, meals, and supportive services to families who become homeless in the greater Denver area. In addition to providing families with shelter and services, the program enables communities of faith to be involved in a tangible form of outreach ministry that brings communities together to alleviate the tragic suffering of homeless families. IHN of Greater Denver unites people from different communities of faith to work in a collaborative way, but at not time are religious values imposed on our guests.

How the Network Works

In partnerships with IHN of Greater Denver, congregations provide home-like accommodations, meals and hospitality for up to five families for a one week period  up to four times a year. Families may spend the day at IHN’s day site, and each evening they are transported to the host

Congregation. Each congregation hosts the families from 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. during their host week.

Rotations

IHN of Greater Denver operates two “rotations”, each consisting of 14 host congregations. The central rotation (serving Denver and Arapahoe counties) opened its doors in 1997. In 2002 the network expanded and opened a second rotation to serve families in the West metro area (Jefferson and Douglas counties). IHN of Greater Denver always welcome more congregations interested in joining the network!

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Interfaith Hospitality Network

of Greater Denver

A community response to homeless families

About Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of Greater Denver
A Shelter and Self- Sufficiency Program for Homeless Families

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Denver's mission is to enable an interfaith and community response to families who become homeless by providing shelter, meals, comprehensive assistance and encouragement toward self-reliance in an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.

Homelessness in Our Community

Studies report that on any given night there are more than 10,000 people in the greater Denver area that are homeless. The majority of those experiencing homelessness are families—3,500 children in our community have no place to call home.