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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail - Mail Packet - 3/2/2021 - Email From Darin Atteberry Re: Homelessness Advisory Committee UpdatFrom:Darin Atteberry To:City Council Cc:Sarah Kane; Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel; Honore Depew; Kelly DiMartino; Kyle Stannert Subject:Homelessness Advisory Committee Update Date:Thursday, February 25, 2021 1:16:47 PM Attachments:Council Memo_Homelessness Update_Jan 28 2021.docx.pdf Importance:High Dear Councilmembers, As I have shared before, a dedicated group of community members has been meeting since late 2019 to help advise me on key considerations related to homeless shelter needs. I’m writing to make sure you saw the February 16th Coloradoan article about North Fort Collins Business Association’s efforts to collect information from businesses about perceived impacts from the temporary shelter on Blue Spruce Dr.: https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2021/02/16/fort-collins-homelessness-nfcba-seeks- information-interactions/6763418002/ The article also highlights the work the Homelessness Advisory Committee (HAC), so I want you to be fully aware of the work and timeline of this important, temporary committee. You received a work session briefing on the Phase 1 work of the committee from Honore Depew and Jackie Kozak Thiel, in October of last year. The final report from that phase, detailing current conditions and identifying areas needing more deliberation, has been the starting point for Phase 2 of the committee work. The attached Council memo from January describes the intentions of this “HAC 2.0” and you can read more on the committee webpage: https://www.fcgov.com/homelessnesscommittee/ Over the course of their next few meetings, the HAC 2.0 will be diving into general considerations of potential locations for future new or expanded homeless shelter facilities. And the recent article will likely bring more public attention to the committee’s work. We are very excited about the depth and detail of the conversations being had in this second phase so far and will continue to keep you informed about their work. A final report with recommendations is anticipated by the end of May. Please let me know if you have any questions and you can expect more thorough updates from me and my staff in the near future. Darin . . . . . . . . . . Darin Atteberry, ICMA-CM / AICP City ManagerCity of Fort Collins, Colorado “The City of Fort Collins is an organization that supports equity for all, leading with race. We acknowledge the role of local government in helping create systems of oppression and racism and are committed to dismantling those same systems in pursuit of racial justice. Learn more.” COVID19 ResourcesFor all residents: https://www.fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus For businesses: https://www.fcgov.com/business/ Want to help: https://www.fcgov.com/volunteer/ Social Sustainability 222 Laporte Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6758 MEMORANDUM DATE: January 28, 2021 TO: Mayor Troxell and City Councilmembers THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer FROM: Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Department Director Honore Depew, Interim Policy and Project Manager RE: Homelessness Updates Purpose The purpose of this memo is to provide Council with updates regarding the following: Status and progress of the Homelessness Advisory Committee 2.0 Status, accomplishments, budget, challenges, and insights from: o Blue Spruce Temporary Shelter o o Inclement Weather Shelter Plan and Day Shelter o Non-Congregate Shelter o COVID updates related to people experiencing homelessness New Homelessness Response & Solutions Lead Specialist position Homelessness Advisory Committee 2.0 Throughout 2020, a temporary Homelessness Advisory Committee (HAC 1.0), made up of multi-sector community members and service providers, was convened by City Manager Atteberry to advise the City on options for expanding homeless shelter capacity within Fort Collins. The HAC 1.0 developed recommendations and considerations that were shared with City Council at a work session in October 2020 https://www.fcgov.com/homelessnesscommittee/ One key element of agreement in the findings was consensus around the need for a local, 24/7 shelter, which was especially highlighted by the current health crisis. At the October work session, Council also provided to continue refining committee findings by convening a balanced subset of the HAC 1.0, plus additional strategic partners, to specifically focus on potential impacts and opportunities, sharing recommendations for implementation with City Council in Q2 of 2021. This second iteration of the committee, referred to as HAC 2.0, is meeting every three weeks until May 2021 to build on the earlier findings and focus directly on these key questions: o What amenities and services should be co-located with a 24/7 shelter? o Where can a new 24/7 homeless shelter be located? What trade-offs will exist? o How can impacts be addressed and mitigated? What type of engagement is needed? o What funding considerations are recommended? 2 The HAC 2.0 is being facilitated by the Trebuchet Group and supported by staff from numerous City departments. The committee consists of 11 members representing business owners, service providers, healthcare professionals, nonprofits, and Larimer County: Brian Ferrans Health District of Northern Larimer County Cheryl Zimlich Bohemian Foundation David Rout Homeward Alliance Dean Hoag North Fort Collins Business Association Desiree Anthony Fort Collins Rescue Mission Gloria Kat The Family Center Joe Domko - Catholic Charities Julie Brewen Housing Catalyst Laura Walker Larimer County Matt Robenalt Downtown Development Authority Seth Forwood Fort Collins Rescue Mission The next few months will bring an end to winter shelter season, a new seated Council, a better understanding of COVID impacts, a new City homelessness coordinator in place, and data about the identified ongoing emergency shelter capacity needs. Specific recommendations from the second phase of the committee work will reflect those 2021 developments with a focus on working through the details and tensions identified in the 2020 findings. Members of the public are welcome to observe committee meetings; details may be found on the Event Calendar. Next Steps: Staff will provide another update on the HAC 2.0 in March and will continue to work with shelter providers on post-April plans when the Blue Spruce lease and non-congregate shelter are scheduled to end. HAC 2.0 recommendations are anticipated by the end of Q2 of 2021. Blue Spruce Emergency Temporary Shelter On September 1, 2020, Council approved an emergency ordinance suspending certain provisions Spruce Drive as a homeless shelter. Fort Collins Rescue Mission is the operator and moved all of their shelter operations to this location from their Linden Street location (they do continue to do food preparation at the Linden Street location and deliver it to Blue Spruce). Between November 2 December 31, 305 unduplicated men were served at Blue Spruce with an average of 100-115 men staying each night. Budget adjustments were made due to increased needs related to security, restroom servicing, and cleaning expenses. This program was CARES-funded for November and December 2020, for a total amount of $114,979, which included rent, utilities, security, restroom trailer, and cleaning supplies. The estimated budget for January April 2021, which will be funded via CDBG-CV, is $177,216. Weekly COVID testing occurred in November January and will continue as directed by the Health Department. Catholic Charities expanded capacity for women and families for overnight shelter. Average of 25-33 women staying each night. 4-6 families and additional 10-15 people staying in residential or veteran program. Weekly COVID testing occurred November January and will continue as directed by the Health Department. 3 This program received $95,000 from CARES and CDBG-CV to help cover expenses for building the temporary shelter, operations, and maintenance. To date, $50,000 of CARES funds have been spent and $45,000 in CDBG-CV funds remain for January-April 2021. Inclement Weather Shelter Plan and Day Shelter On October 27, 2021, Council approved an emergency ordinance suspending certain provisions (Westminster Presbyterian Church) as a day shelter. Inclement Weather Day (IWD) shelter occurs when the forecasted high temperatures are not expected to get above freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or winter storm warning in place (National Weather Service). Nine IWD activations have occurred so far providing shelter to 839 people (duplicated). IWD includes day shelter at three locations in order to have enough space for everyone and is staffed by Homeward Alliance: o Westminster Presbyterian Church o Catholic Charities (for women who stay there overnight) o Murphy Center On non-IWD, the Murphy Center provides outdoor day shelter as well as access to basic services (shower, laundry, mail, etc.) and appointments for more in-depth services (employment, resource navigation, mental health, etc.). City is funding the staff and security needed for both regular and IWD shelter with general fund dollars allocated to Homeward Alliance for day and evening shelter. Non-Congregate Shelter City Council encouraged staff to establish a non-congregate shelter when the Northside Aztlan Community Center (NACC) was transitioned from a temporary 24/7 shelter back to childcare and recreation services in June 2020. Non-congregate shelter (NCS) experiencing homelessness. There are currently 24 participants in the NCS. This number is expected to decrease steadily. Though the opening of Mason Place, a supportive housing development managed by Housing Catalyst, was slightly delayed, qualified and approved NCS participants began moving in this month. From August October 2020, NCS was operated by Catholic Charities. Beginning in November 2020, and continuing into 2021, NCS is operated by Homeward Alliance. The 2020 budget, funded via CARES, totaled $418,197, approximately $1,800 under-budget. The estimated budget for January March 2021, funded via CDBG-CV, is $210,000, though this number will decrease as additional NCS participants are placed into housing. COVID Updates COVID testing at overnight shelters conducted weekly since November positive cases have dropped dramatically since early December. Total number of positive tests by site and month include: o Blue Spruce Temporary Shelter: November 42; December 33; January 5 o Catholic Charities: July 1; August 1; November 2; December 2; January 1 Larimer County Isolation, Recovery, Quarantine site operating in Loveland and will move back to W. Myrtle location in February. Direct care providers for people experiencing homelessness (shelters and service providers staff) are identified to receive COVID vaccinations in phase 1B of the Larimer County COVID Vaccination timeline. New Homelessness Position 4 A newly created position entitled Homelessness Response & Solutions Lead Specialist was approved in the 2021 Budgeting for Outcomes process supported by redeployed funds from Fort Collins Police Services and funds from Poudre Fire Authority. A thorough and competitive hiring process took place over several weeks in December and January which included 3 interview panels (internal, external, and executive), a written response sample, and a video presentation. Brittany Depew was selected for this position and will begin on February 22.