HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 12/21/2021 - Memorandum From Brittany Depew Re: December Homelessness Updates
Social Sustainability
222 Laporte Avenue
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.8055
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 15, 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: December Homelessness Updates
Purpose: The purpose of this memo is informational to provide Council with regular homelessness updates.
Fort Collins Rescue Mission – Jefferson/Linden location
In November, served 2,968 duplicated men, with a daily average of 99.
Increased overnight capacity to 102 in mid-November.
Before Mountain Overflow site opened on November 29, an average of 4 men were turned away per night
due to space limitations.
An average of 10 meals served per day at the Murphy Center to guests who do not receive a bed space
overnight (either due to personal choice or space limitations).
Received $30k in ARPA funds to support a continued 24/7 shelter model in September and October.
212 W. Mountain Overflow Shelter
This City-owned building was approved as an additional emergency location by Council via Emergency
Ordinance on November 2. This added overnight capacity is critical for life-safety during the winter
months.
Operated by Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
Opened on November 29 with a maximum capacity of 42 men.
Since opening, has served 160 duplicated men, with an average of 12 per night.
During open hours of 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m., this site is fully staffed by Rescue Mission employees and
supported by security guards from Precision Security.
Provides enough additional capacity that no one seeking shelter has been turned away since it opened.
Staff from Social Sustainability, Police Services, Outreach Fort Collins, and Fort Collins Rescue Mission
attended Downtown Development Authority (DDA) retail and restaurant businesses meetings in
November to share an update and solicit feedback/questions, and City staff will return to February’s DDA
meetings to check-in with downtown businesses again.
Outreach Fort Collins has done extensive in-person outreach with nearby businesses and added this
location to their regular route.
Catholic Charities
In November, served 1,012 duplicated women and 112 family units.
An average of 35 women and 4 families served per night in November, and no one was turned away.
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Other Partner Updates
The Murphy Center is currently open from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 7 days per week for outdoor shelter;
additionally, indoor appointments (showers, computers, laundry, service providers) are available Monday-
Friday.
Between January and September, Homeward Alliance helped 324 people secure housing.
Outreach Fort Colins hired their new director, Brad Rhoda, and joined the Chamber of Commerce on
December 1.
Family Housing Network opened Sherwood House, transitional housing for up to 7 families with children
experiencing homelessness.
Recovery Funds
City staff received approval for an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) application that will provide
$760,000 to community partners via a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. These funds will be utilized
to increase case management and resource navigation, support ongoing 24/7 shelter efforts, and provide
funds to renovate an existing building into additional shelter space.
Note: Shelter renovations are part of an ongoing conversation, and the $200,000 reserved for that project
will only be allocated once a formal commitment exists between partners.
Future 24/7 Shelter
Following through on recommendations from the Homelessness Advisory Committee and July work
session with Council, site analysis for two potential locations (1311 N. College and 614 E. Vine) is
currently being conducted.
Staff continuing to explore potential mid-term/bridge shelter options with partners.
An awareness campaign on social media ran through the month of November and a Homelessness
Awareness Month proclamation was brought to Council on November 16.
Success Story
“N” had been homeless for ten years and had reported discrimination in the workforce and when seeking
housing. As a Spanish-only speaker, he also identified language barriers when communicating with
potential landlords. “N” began accessing services at Homeward Alliance and was supported by a bilingual
staff member in securing unemployment benefits, which opened up housing opportunities. “N” engaged
with the Rapid Rehousing program, which helped him secure an affordable rental. When staff brought him
to his new place, and he saw that there was a bathroom attached to the bedroom, “N” said, “What am I?
A king?”