Denver’s micro-community under construction at 12033 E. 38th Ave. is making considerable progress and the city expects to start housing homeless people there next month.

Pallet PBC mini shelters are already on site and a site operator was approved by city councilmembers on Monday.

Mayor Mike Johnston and his administration, which is trying to house 1,000 homeless people by year’s end, has been taking rapid steps to acquire housing units ranging from hotels to micro-communities.

Micro-communities are intended to serve as 24/7 monitored homeless communities with mini shelter units, community buildings, and laundry, bathroom, shower and kitchen facilities.

Service providers, not the city, will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining micro-communities. Providers are expected to maintain a minimum ratio of one staff member on site per 40 clients.

Denver approved a $2,308,829 contract with Bayaud Enterprises, Inc., a Denver-based company, to provide site operations until the end of 2024.

Bayaud is a company specializing in providing employment services.

The contract calls for Bayaud Enterprises to oversee and maintain a micro-community with 54 units to ensure compliance with all building codes, health regulations, and safety issues as well as regular repairs. Communal spaces are to be cleaned at least twice per week.

The micro-communities under construction at 1375 Elati St. and 2301 S. Santa Fe Dr. await the arrival of Pallet units and manufactured sleeping units from Solution Builders. Workers at both sites are in the process of leveling dirt.

But progress seems more apparent at the 38th Avenue site.

Johnston’s administration originally ordered 200 Pallet shelters for up to $7 million. Cole Chandler, the mayor’s senior homeless adviser, told councilmembers the deal was finalized at $3.5 million.

The mayor’s homeless resolution plan, since taking office on July 18, has resulted in 292 homeless people being housed as of Thanksgiving, according to the city’s homeless housing dashboard.