Changes Made to Continue Improvements to City Homeless Services and Sheriff Department Community Engagement

Mayor Michael B. Hancock announced several changes to continue improving services for people experiencing homelessness and to better connect law enforcement with Denver’s diverse communities.
 
Bennie Milliner, who has served as director of Denver’s Road Home since 2012, is joining the Denver Sheriff Department as Director of Community Engagement. He will be responsible for improving communication, transparency, outreach and anti-recidivism efforts. An Air Force veteran, Milliner previously served in community liaison roles for U.S. Senators Ken Salazar and Michael Bennet. He also served on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education from 1996 to 2001.
 
Chris Conner, who joined Denver’s Road Home in 2011 as program administrator, will become interim director to lead homeless shelter and services coordination. As a former youth outreach worker, Conner has years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness and understanding the importance of providing individualized services through coordinated system integration. 
 
Along with these changes, planning is underway to transition the work of Denver's Road Home to an office within the Department of Human Services. This office will focus on the most effective, strategic delivery of services and continue to coordinate the work of shelter and service providers for those experiencing homelessness, including working closely with the Office of Behavioral Health Strategies.