Title
Homeless Services and ARPA Project Update
Body
Summary & Background
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the City of Commerce City will receive a total of approximately $10.5 million from the federal government to support the community and provide significant aid to those adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on Council direction, staff has pursued utilizing a large portion of those funds to construct and provide support for a homeless navigation center and temporary transitional housing. This presentation will update Council on both homelessness at-large in our community and the status and action plan for the ARPA Navigation Center project.
Homelessness
Since the Community Navigator- Homeless Outreach position presented to Council January 2022, there has been an increase in services provided and updates on a few projects. Since Jan 2022 the Community Navigator has seen 249 more people during outreach in 8 months than last year’s total number. During the Severe Weather Activation Program (SWAP) season (typically Oct- March) 61 more motel vouchers were administered. Lastly, 27 more people received public benefit assistance. The Community Navigator received an intern to provide support from Feb-May 2022. When the internship ended, a part time position was created and hired as the Community Navigator Assistant in June 2022. Due to the additional staffing, the capacity of services provided were able to be increased and outreach days have become consistent and occurring at least twice a week while the Community Navigator is available for in office walk ins. This year there has already been at least 340 people walking into the Eagle Pointe Recreation Center seeking assistance/resources from the Community Navigator.
Colorado Safe Parking Initiative has launched its first Safe Parking Lot in Adams County in early August in Commerce City. This lot is located at Nativity Lutheran Church. The second Safe Lot at South Platte Cros...
Click here for full text