HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 4/7/2020 - Memorandum From Beth Sowder Re: Summary Of City Response To Covid-19 Threat To Persons Experiencing HomelessnessSocial Sustainability
222 Laporte Avenue
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6758
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 1, 2020
TO: Mayor Troxell and City Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
FROM: Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Department Director
RE: Summary of City Response to COVID-19 Threat to Persons Experiencing
Homelessness
Purpose: The purpose of this memo is to provide Council with a brief overview of
ongoing community response efforts to provide shelter to people experiencing
homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Response Locations:
Northside Aztlan Center available for shelter 24/7 through form March 17
until April 10
o Day and evening shelter – average 150-175 people per day
o Overnight shelter for men – average 80-90 men per night
o Partners’ roles:
Holly LeMasurier (supported by Homeward 2020) lead oversight of
operations by Homeward Alliance and Catholic Charities
(assistance from Fort Collins Rescue Mission)
City provides – facility and cleaning services multiple times a day
Homeward Alliance and Catholic Charities provide – staffing, food,
linens, supplies
Health District provides– recommended improved health screening
protocol and healthcare workers to oversee (plus added security)
Process started Saturday – right now 4 people in
isolation/recovery (separate room)
Starting March 31 County Health Dept. provided COVID-19
tests for isolated people – Health District doctor conducting
the tests – 48 hours to get results
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Anonymous Donor covering – security, additional staffing thru April
10
Grant in the works for longer term food needs
April 10 date to be evaluated and likely to be extended
The Larimer County Ranch:
o Although Larimer County worked toward and planned to open The Ranch
as an isolation site for people experiencing homelessness, they were
informed today that the Army Corps of Engineers has decided to use The
Ranch as the location to stand up a hospital overflow site. As such, they
will be taking over all buildings and will only take current transfers from
current local hospital beds. This location will no longer be available as an
isolation location.
o City, County and service providers are working through identifying another
site.
Additional Facilities for symptomatic individuals
o Second emergency shelter location in the works
Anonymous donor willing to pay for two months of rent and
cleaning services
Shelters would staff
Health District would provide Doctor and on-call health care
Temporary Housing options for at-risk individuals
o Hotels and Motels
City, County, and Health District reached out and have not been
able to identify willing facilities
Long term leasing being explored
Volunteers of America – placing 60+ year old veterans in motels
with supportive services
Families and people accessing residential programs at the shelters
or Family Housing Network are continuing in those programs
Additional Resources to explore:
Northern Colorado Continuum of Care: Met with Kristin Coombs from
Colorado Division of Housing to discuss state and federal funding to possibly
help with temporary housing options for non-symptomatic at-risk populations
including elderly, medically frail, and those with underling health conditions. The
Continuum of Care will continue to investigate these funding opportunities.
Disaster Declaration – May open new funding and resource possibilities; city
staff are working with the Emergency Operations Center to get more information
Use the Coordinated Access Housing Placement System – This system is in
place and housing folks now. For instance, in March: 6 adults and 5 families were
placed in permanent housing; 1 family was placed in transitional housing; and 3
veterans were housed. This system is used to prioritize placement of vulnerable
populations.
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Conclusion:
The City and community partners are cooperating and collaborating at a
remarkable level
The City is working to identify needs and resources
Staff will continue to update Council about efforts and conditions, including at a
work session on April 14
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