Homeless advocates clash with police over plan to set up tiny houses

Denver Homeless Out Loud activists returned Sunday night to a Denver Housing Authority-owned community garden — a night after police broke up their settlement — saying they want to set it up again.

But the modular “tiny houses” they used Saturday have been “stolen,” they said.

About two dozen activists gathered in the moonlight Sunday at Sustainability Park, the DHA property at 25th and Lawrence streets. Police watched the group from their vehicles. The property is fenced and marked with “Private Property” signs.

“We have been envisioning a tiny house village in Denver for years,” said Karen Seed, 28.

Denver police arrested 10 activists Saturday night at Sustainability Park after they set up tiny houses for use by the houseless and refused police orders to disperse. Those arrested said Sunday that all but one had been released after posting $100 bond each.

The activists are angered by Denver Housing Authority plans to sell land used for a community garden. For the past five years, the land has been the home of the Urban Farmers Collaborative at Sustainability Park, an initiative of nonprofit Greenleaf.

The organization works with young people who grow and harvest produce. The crops are sold in Denver neighborhoods considered food deserts, because they lack markets that can provide fresh food. About 15 percent of the produce is donated to hunger-relief agencies.