HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 5/26/2020 - Memorandum From Beth Sowder Re: Northside Aztlan Community Center Exit OptionsSocial Sustainability
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6758
MEMORANDUM
DATE: May 20, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Council
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jacqueline Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
FROM: Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Department Director
RE: Northside Aztlan Community Center Exit Options
Bottom Line
The City is actively coordinating with the Service Providers to develop an exit strategy for
Northside Aztlan Community Center (NACC). While planned for May 29, staff is in the process
of extending the agreement to no later than June 19 to allow for a phased transition out of
NACC with the continuation of daytime services for people experiencing homelessness, e.g.,
health screenings, meals, etc. Staff and service provider partners continue to explore all options
for shelter during this time as well as planning for fall/winter sheltering. An additional update will
be provided to City Council when the exit strategy has been finalized.
Emergency Regulation No. 2020-02, suspending legal requirements related to the use of NACC
as a temporary shelter, remains in effect and so no action related to that is needed.
Background
The City has been following the guidance of public health agencies when supporting a
community-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including for those community members
without homes. On March 19, in response to this guidance and global emergency, the City and
community partners like Homeward Alliance, Homeward 2020, Catholic Charities, Fort Collins
Rescue Mission, Health District of Northern Larimer County, and Summitstone Health swiftly
established a centralized operations site at NACC to help keep people safe and slow the spread
of COVID-19. This includes daytime services such as shelter, showers, meals, hand washing
stations, health screenings and monitoring, case management, access to mental/behavioral
health and crisis intervention, and overnight shelter. On average, NACC is serving approx. 200
people experiencing homelessness (PEH), including approximately 100 male community
members overnight. The current agreement with the Service Providers to operate NACC
expires on May 29, 2020.
NACC Extension and Exit Strategy
As noted in the Council Memo last week, NACC is needed as a site for childcare (Camp
FunQuest) beginning the weekend of July 17. Staff is preparing an extension to allow for a
transition in services for PEH, which will be signed by the City Manager given his authority to
issue permits for the use of City property, with key elements as follows:
Service providers will continue to provide daytime services, including lunches, staffing
and associated support, and health screening and testing through June 19 at the latest.
The City will continue to support collaborative efforts to identify alternate shelter
locations (see section and table below).
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The City, service providers, funders and partners will work together on the joint
development of strategic, long term approaches for PEH that ensures limited resources
are directed and leveraged toward the best possible solutions during the uncertain
duration and conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After June 19, the City will mobilize to rehabilitate NACC, which will include:
o Site rehabilitation, including 72-hour quarantine of the facility immediately
followed by full facility deep cleaning and sanitization; repair of any damage,
locker room and shower area restoration; HVAC preventative maintenance and
duct cleaning; and refinishing of all wood floors including the gym and all activity
rooms
o Preparing to restart operations, including moving Camp FunQuest back to NACC
and preparing facility for general operations, training staff on new design for
delivering services in this time.
Estimated costs of this three-week extension ranges between $52-57K, with $13-$18K
of this amount as direct costs to the City. An anonymous funder has graciously covered
all non-city costs, the providers are funding direct services, and the majority of city
expenditures are eligible for reimbursement.
Note with the increase in people receiving services at NACC, coupled with warmer weather,
Police Services is seeing an increase in disturbance calls at NACC and crimes committed by
guests in the neighboring areas. Continuing the congregate shelter at that location may
contribute to an increase in disruptive behaviors and criminal activity in the north part of town.
Other Shelter Options Under Exploration
Expanded shelter options are still needed due to the continued requirement for physical
distancing. The City and partners have been actively working to secure other sites for continued
shelter, both congregate and non-congregate. As this situation is rapidly evolving, here are the
current options staff and our partners are exploring, and note the options are not mutually
exclusive:
Option Benefits Challenges Notes
Option 1:
Secure a
separate
congregate site
similar in size
and amenities
to NACC
- Provides one single space
where all services can be
provided, e.g., meals, health
screening, etc.
- Staff and partners
have explored
approx. 20 options in
Fort Collins and have
not yet found a willing
property owner
- Even during normal
times, there is usually
not enough shelter
space for everyone
during the summer
months – it is
exacerbated now due to
distancing needs /
requirements
Option 2:
Secure a
longer-term site
for sheltering in
winter
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case management and focus
on long-term permanent
housing
- Most expenses are eligible
for reimbursement
required)
- Up-front funding
required without
guaranteed
reimbursement
Next Steps
Update the agreement with the Service Providers, including exit strategy
Collaborate with other funders and service providers to plan and prioritize shelter needs
and funding options with limited resources
Continue pursuing the options listed above and communicate with City Council which
direction is being pursued.
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- Recognizes a second wave
is likely and physical
distancing requirements will
still be in place
- Additional resources
will be needed to
secure such a site
and options are
limited (see above)
- Both the likely COVID
resurgence in the fall as
well as cold weather
needs makes this a
priority
Option 3:
Secure non-
congregate
shelter options
(motels/hotels)
- Provide separate space for
most vulnerable - those over
65 and/or with underlying
health conditions
- Greater ability to provide
- Determining who
most appropriate
applicant (e.g. who
has legal
responsibility as
- New territory for State
Department of Housing
(DOH) and FEMA, but is
encouraged during
pandemic
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