Agenda Date: 06/11/2019
Subject:
Title
Tri-Cities IGA for Homelessness Assessment
Body
Prepared by:
Samma Fox, Assistant to the City Manager
PURPOSE:
Does council wish to pursue an assessment on homelessness within the Tri-Cities Homelessness Policy Group?
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Mark Relph, City Manager
Additional Presenter(s): Carol Fey, Council Member
SUMMARY:
In the fall of 2018 the Tri-Cities (Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan) convened a Tri-Cities Homelessness Policy Group consisting of a council member, the city manager, and police representation from each city, in addition to local service providers. This group has met monthly and worked to share information and current practices, as well as connect with other groups/entities and identify best practices. The proposed joint assessment is in an initial recommendation from the group.
The proposed assessment (scope attached) from the University of Denver's Burnes Center on Poverty and Homelessness, is comprised of two phases. The first is intended to increase understanding of chronic homelessness; including the underlying causes, contributing factors, and barriers preventing people from exiting homelessness. The second focuses on understanding family homelessness.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
None.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates the average cost to taxpayers of a chronically homeless person is $35,578/yearly. Green Doors found people struggling with homelessness are often frequent users of emergency services, on average visiting emergency rooms five times per year, with the highest users visiting weekly. Downtown Streets Team found substantial impacts on the criminal justice system, specifically due to overnight stays in jail and social costs related to quality of life and accessibility to public space. In Littleton, potential environmental concerns have been identified, specifically with the water treatment plant, and resources for polic...
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