HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 4/21/2020 - Memorandum From Beth Sowder Re: April 14, 2020 Work Session Summary: Homeward 2020 And Homelessness UpdateSocial Sustainability
222 LaPorte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6758
MEMORANDUM
DATE: April 16, 2020
TO: Mayor Troxell & City Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
FROM: Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Department Director
RE: April 14, 2020 Work Session Summary re: Homeward 2020 and
Homelessness Update
Introduction
At the April 14, 2020 Council Work Session, an update on Homeward 2020 and
initiatives affecting persons experiencing homelessness was provided by Jeff Mihelich,
Deputy City Manager; Holly LeMasurier, Homeward 2020 Director; and Beth Sowder,
Social Sustainability Department Director.
Council Direction Sought:
This was an update, so no specific questions were asked of City Council.
Discussion
Council was appreciative of the work being done by Homeward 2020, community
partners, and the City on homelessness issues.
Key discussion points included:
Support to continue working together on affordable housing efforts and strategies
Interest in how the Northern Colorado (NoCo) Continuum of Care will bring
funding into the region to support affordable housing and supportive services
Supportive of the plan for Homeward 2020 transition to the NoCo Continuum of
Care to continue the legacy work and continue and enhance it in a regional effort
Council would like to continue engagement and understand how efforts are
moving forward
Supportive and appreciative comments about the great leadership of Homeward
2020, the focus on making homelessness rare, short-lived, and non-recurring,
collaborative work with service providers and collaboration on the spectrum of
services
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14F4E27D-5616-444F-9C99-43C794B48E08
2
Appreciate the emphasis on data and would like to see it continue at regional
level
Interest in understanding details of length of time people are homeless, process
and time to get people into housing, health impacts and constraints, and how it
relates to mental health
Discussion about designated outdoor shelter area in Heritage Park:
o Appreciate the efforts
o Interest in the exit strategy – temporary situation
o Recommend more encouragement of physical distancing and facial
coverings
Next Steps
Summer 2020 – report and event showcasing the Community Action Strategy
focusing on scaling up solutions to overcome increasing homelessness including:
o Performance targets
o Existing assets and persistent gaps
o Priority next steps
o Resources and partnerships
Homeward 2020 and the Social Sustainability Department will provide update
memos to City Council as appropriate
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14F4E27D-5616-444F-9C99-43C794B48E08