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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 11/2/2021 - Memorandum From Brittany Depew Re: Emergency Ordinance Social Sustainability 222 Laporte Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.416.8055 MEMORANDUM DATE: October 27, 2021 TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers THRU: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer Beth Yonce, Social Sustainability Department Director FROM: Brittany Depew, Homelessness Lead Specialist RE: Emergency Ordinance re: 212 West Mountain Avenue Purpose: The purpose of this memo is informational to provide Council with details on the emergency ordinance being brought forward on Tuesday, November 2. The approval of this ordinance will allow for the City-owned building at 212 W. Mountain to be utilized as a winter overflow shelter site for men experiencing homelessness. Overview Current capacity at Fort Collins Rescue Mission is 80, which will increase to 102 after new bunk beds are installed in November. During the 2020-2021 winter season, an average of 118 men were served overnight, and the highest number of men served in one night was 152. To supplement Rescue Mission’s capacity, 212 W. Mountain would serve as an overflow shelter from November 2021 through April 2022 with a maximum capacity of 49. Operated by Fort Collins Rescue Mission with additional support from Precision Security. Background The seasonal overflow shelter program is a collaboration between the City and partners to provide life- saving shelter during cold weather season (November – April). Past locations have included Knights of Columbus, Peak Community Church, and Community of Christ. During the upcoming winter season, this proposed overflow shelter at 212 W. Mountain will serve single adult men, while overflow women and families will be served at Catholic Charities. People can access daytime services at the Murphy Center, located at 242 Conifer St. and operated by Homeward Alliance. Logistics This location would be overnight only, open from approximately 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. Rescue Mission would provide meals, prepared at their main location (316 Jefferson St.) and served at 212 W. Mountain. Transportation would not be provided, except on Emergency Inclement Weather Days, when transportation would be provided between this location and the Murphy Center for daytime warming. 2 Budget Staffing & Security o Fort Collins Rescue Mission is currently in the process of seeking additional employees to help cover shifts at this secondary location. The amount of staffing available will determine how much security is needed during the open hours of 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. o Approximate monthly cost of $13,000-$15,000 for staffing and security combined. Meals o Meal costs will depend on number of clients utilizing the space each night but will average an estimated $3,500/month. Funding is likely to come from a combination of sources including Fort Collins Rescue Mission, American Rescue Plan Act, and the City’s Seasonal Overflow Shelter budget. Outreach Direct outreach to nearest businesses occurring the last week of October. Press release will go out November 3. Letter to neighbors will be mailed November 3. Service providers, including Fort Collins Rescue Mission and Homeward Alliance, will conduct ongoing outreach directly with people experiencing homelessness who are impacted.