Council Action Guide: Homelessness

Evaluate and enhance services to further the Homeless Strategy for housing, diversion and supportive services

Completed, with services adapted to COVID-19. Further evaluation and improving of services

The Homelessness Strategy (approved in 2017) is a City of Boulder specific plan to address homelessness and compl e ment other regional homelessness efforts. The vision for this strategy is achieved by expanding housing opportunities and homelessness prevention initiatives, maximizing system and client efficiency and effectiveness through partnerships, expanding public information about homelessness, and creating safe and welcoming public spaces.

• Demobilization of the COVID-19 Recovery Center for unhoused individuals on June 30.

• Acceleration of “move on” housing (moving people who have stabilized from permanent supportive housing to limited-support affordable housing, thus creating openings for permanent supportive housing) through the Emergency Rescue Voucher program.

• Providing Council with information regarding unsanctioned camping, sanctioned camping proposals, possible enhancements to unsanctioned camping reduction efforts, and updates to homelessness service performance.

• Collaborating with Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC) for an overall restructuring of HSBC and conducting the first Community Forum.

• Deployment of the BTHERE (Boulder Targeted Homeless Engagement and Referral Effort) program in Spring 2021 to increase outreach and referral in targeted areas of the city.

• Implementing changes to the Severe Weather Shelter program including the provision of hotel space in critical weather situations and Coordinated Entry screening requirements.

• Exiting 54 people from homelessness between January and April 2021.

• Opening Coordinated Entry at Age Well West (9th and Arapaho) on June 1 to provide a central location for the intake of unhoused individuals seeking services.

Housing and Human Services continues to pursue housing opportunities and increase service partnerships for people experiencing homelessness, including exploring options for people who are addicted to methamphetamine and those who are high utilizers of the justice system.