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 <https://endhomelessness.org/resource/ending-chronic-homelessness-saves-taxpayers-money/> estimates the average cost to taxpayers of a chronically homeless person is $35,578/yearly. Green Doors <https://www.greendoors.org/facts/cost.php> 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 <https://www.streetsteam.org/causesMythsMisconceptions> 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 police response and transports to jail, which at best can take 1.5 hours of an officers time, and often take three hours or more if during rush hour. In addition, code enforcement and public works teams often interface with people experiencing homelessness and sometimes face additional risks, such as hazardous materials.
The assessment will provide staff with a better understanding of the current situation and allow more informed evaluation of the issues and potential paths to improvements.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
AUTHENTIC - Littleton will continue to be inviting and safe for both residents and guests.
CONNECTED - Littleton will continue to have regional ties and be an inclusive and neighborly community that provides opportunities for youth, seniors, and residents in need to thrive.
ACTIVE - Littleton will support residents’ efforts to be fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle and seek to elevate its position as a dream community for outdoor recreation and nature enthusiasts.
ENGAGED - Littleton will remain civic-minded in all matters affecting the direction and priorities of city government and the community.
Fiscal Impacts
|
|
Total |
Littleton Share (1/3) |
|
PHASE 1: Assessment of Chronic Homelessness |
$ 51,545.00 |
$ 17,181.67 |
|
PHASE 2: Assessment of Family Homelessness |
$ 55,596.00 |
$ 18,532.00 |
|
|
$ 107,141.00 |
$ 35,713.67 |
The Council Projects account, with $15,000 available, can be used to cover most of Phase 1. The remainder can be accommodated with minor re-prioritization. This will allow the project to start in 2019.
If Phase 2 begins in 2019, funding will be requested through a supplemental budget appropriation. If Phase 2 begins in 2020, funding will be included in the 2020 budget process.
Alternatives
Request staff to:
• Move forward with the full assessment in 2019 - an IGA will be brought to a regular city council meeting as well as a supplemental appropriation request.
• Move forward with Phase 1 in 2019 and Phase 2 in 2020 - an IGA will be brought to a regular city council meeting and Phase 2 will be included in the 2020 budget process.
• Do not move forward - No assessment will be completed and the Tri-Cities relationship may be negatively impacted.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends coordinating with Englewood and Sheridan, and moving forward with Phase 1 in 2019, and Phase 2 in 2020 in cooperation with the Tri-Cities.