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Home My WebLink AboutMemo - Mail Packet - 1/18/2022 - Memorandum From Brittany Depew Re: Council Follow Up Re: 24/7 Shelter Social Sustainability 222 Laporte Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.416.8055 MEMORANDUM DATE: January 12, 2022 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: Council Follow-up re: 24/7 Shelter Purpose: The purpose of this memo is to provide follow up to an email received by City Leaders on December 31, 2021, which was also brought to public comment at the January 4, 2022, regular meeting. Context for Follow-up: On December 31, 2021, City leaders received a multi-part email from the People’s Initiative for Equity (P.I.E.), including this question about homelessness: o “What is the current action plan for the 24/7 Shelter for people experiencing homelessness?” o To fully respond to this inquiry, below is information about previous memos, current shelter status, and an update on the future 24/7 shelter project . Previous Relevant Memos: Staff sends periodic homelessness updates memos to City Council, which regularly include status updates on the future 24/7 shelter project. The most recent memo, from December 15, 2021, is included as an attachment. Current Shelter Status: During the winter months, partners across the service network (including the City) collaborate to increase shelter capacity to provide enough space for everyone who seeks it. The shared goal across the community is to not turn anyone away during the Seasonal Overflow Shelter (SOS) season (November- April). Currently, Fort Collins Rescue Mission is operating two separate shelters that can accommodate a total of 144 men each night (102 at their year-round shelter location of 316 Jefferson St. and 42 at 212 W. Mountain, which is a City-owned building activated for this temporary, emergency use). Catholic Charities also has overflow capacity for 35 women and 4 families. Although there are many reasons people experiencing homelessness may choose not to access shelter, this is not currently due to a lack of space. Future 24/7 Shelter Project Status The Homelessness Advisory Committee (HAC) met from November 2019-May 2021, and final recommendations were brought to Council on July 27, 2021. o The final report can be found on the HAC’s website, along with more information and meeting notes: https://www.fcgov.com/homelessnesscommittee/ 2 Following their final recommendations, and with feedback from the City Council work session on July 27, 2021, further site analyses for two potential locations (1311 N. College and 614 E. Vine) are currently being conducted. The site analysis will be completed in Q1 2022 and will inform partnership decisions and next steps towards establishing a 24/7 shelter and other community enhancements. While the City’s role will vary depending on selected location for the future facility, it will largely focus on coordination, collaboration, community engagement, and funding, and will not include ownership or operation of the shelter. An awareness campaign on social media ran through the month of November and the Mayor proclaimed November as Homelessness Awareness Month on November 16. Next Steps Staff will continue to provide status updates on 24/7 shelter via memos to Council and anticipate a work session with Council in Q1 or Q2 of 2022 to seek guidance on the City’s role as part of a community partnership to address this urgent need. 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. 2 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?”