Funds will go toward programs that serve community members living unhoused or facing behavioral health challenges.

The City of Boulder’s Housing and Human Services department has been awarded over $2.5 million to support projects aimed at addressing homelessness and behavioral health crises in Boulder.

Awarded funds include:

  • $2 million for development of a respite center from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. This center will serve as a space where unhoused community members being discharged from medical services can recuperate in a 24-hour setting. Clients will also have access to mental health care and housing support services. Grant funds will be used to support staffing and operating costs. Details about this project will be shared with the community as more information becomes available.
  • $555,000 to increase capacity for the city’s alternative response programs from the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. The funding will support both the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) and the city’s new Community Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) team. Funds will be used to provide intensive training for staff to better serve community members; add an additional clinical case manager to provide intensive, community-based support; build staff resiliency to increase behavioral health staff retention due to high degree of secondary trauma exposure; and for one-time renovations to the CIRT and CARE staff working space.

In addition to the funding received by the city, various community partners including Boulder County, Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, Mental Health Partners and Mother House also received funding which will broaden the support to unhoused community members or those facing behavioral health challenges.

“I am extremely pleased these much-needed resources to support behavioral health programs and supportive services for our unhoused community which will serve a variety of needs,” shared Kurt Firnhaber, director of Housing and Human Services. “The grant proposals from the city, the county and local partners communicated the significant challenges we are experiencing related to homelessness and mental and behavioral health and these funds will uplift key programs to positively impact our community.”

Learn more about Housing and Human Services programs, services and projects on the city’s website.

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