5-21-26 - 9am - 64% When You Pick Your Numbers, Is Texas Blue? and Diet Coke

In a recent press conference, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston claimed that homelessness in Denver has decreased by a staggering 64%. Sounds impressive, but is it really? This episode digs into the numbers behind the claim and exposes some surprising flaws in the methodology. Michael takes a closer look at the data and finds that the decrease in homelessness is largely due to people moving from the streets into shelters, not necessarily into permanent housing. This raises questions about the definition of success and whether the city's efforts are truly making a meaningful impact. Additionally, Michael highlights the importance of financial transparency and accountability in addressing the issue of homelessness. The discussion also touches on the concept of "moving the goalposts" and how the city's definition of success has changed over time. This makes it difficult to accurately measure progress and compare it to previous years. Furthermore, Michael notes that the city's financial transparency issues are a major concern, with an auditor finding that the city underreported $20 million in program expenses. If you're interested in learning more about the complexities of addressing homelessness and the importance of accurate data, tune in to this episode to hear Michael's in-depth analysis and critique of the mayor's claims.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.