[BoulderCouncilHotline] Updates to Severe Weather Shelter

[Firnhaber, Kurt]

Dear City Council,

I am writing to update you on three new developments related to services that support individuals experiencing homelessness.

Day Sheltering/Warming Centers
City of Boulder staff members have been exploring various options to provide additional day sheltering services for people experiencing homelessness, as a result of direction given by city council. Since the July 14 City Council meeting, staff has had conversations with local nonprofits and area faith-based organizations to provide additional day time sheltering options, as a result of a reduction in public spaces open during COVID 19 restrictions. The challenges presented by COVID have also impacted these groups in their ability to assist the city.

Boulder Shelter for the Homeless (BSH), as part of its COVID-19 response, has been providing morning services since June, where people can get showers and breakfast. In addition, BSH will be staying open until 11:30am beginning December 1. In order to provide additional day services to people during critical weather conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, BSH will be expanding its criteria for all-day shelter opening. The shelter will remain open all day when the day's high temperature is 20°F or below or there is an expected six inches or more of snow. In order to provide this service, BSH has had to develop an approach for daily thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the facility while providing appropriate safeguards for staff and clients.

Severe Weather Shelter Dashboard
Housing and Human Services has just launched a new Severe Weather Dashboard<https://bouldercolorado.gov/hhs/sws-dashboard> to the city's website which provides information regarding SWS services, attendance, and other pertinent information. This dashboard is in addition to the existing Single Adult Homelessness Dashboard.<https://bouldercolorado.gov/homelessness/homelessness-dashboard>

Coordinated Entry and Diversion Services Grand Opening
Coordinated Entry and Diversion Services, run by BSH in Boulder County, will be moving to its new in-person location on November 23. Coordinated Entry will be located at 909 Arapahoe. A separate entrance is located on the West side of the West Age Well Center, facing 9th Street. Coordinated Entry and Diversion Services will be open Monday - Friday from 10am to 4pm, except Tuesday, when the hours are noon-4. Anyone who presents to BSH for sheltering through year-round programs or SWS will be granted grace nights until Coordinated Entry screening is available.

In community partnership,

Kurt,

Kurt Firnhaber
Director of Housing and Human Services
[https://bouldercolorado.gov/links/fetch/41501]
O: # 303-441-4424
C: # 303-917-0914
FirnhaberK at bouldercolorado.gov<mailto:FirnhaberK at bouldercolorado.gov>
Department of Housing & Human Services
1300 Canyon Blvd  Boulder, CO 80302
Bouldercolorado.gov<https://www.bouldercolorado.gov/>


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