[BoulderCouncilHotline] FW: Questions re: Item 6A

[Firnhaber, Kurt]

Dear Nicole,

I am writing in response to your Hotline questions sent on Monday related to the conversation we will have on Thursday night around services for those experiencing homelessness.  We appreciate you sending your questions in advance.


  *   Do the CE screening numbers in the update refer to unique individuals (e.g., “945 individuals” on p. 2)? ​Generally yes, but the 945 total does also include 68 individuals who were being rescreened.
  *   How many people are still exited from homelessness after a period of time from when we count them as having exited homelessness (e.g., after 6 mos, 1 year, etc.)? For example, on p. 14, of the portion of 245 people who exited into stable housing in July-Dec 2021, how many were still housed in June 2022?  Retention rates and returns to homelessness are calculated by individual providers and programs.  Outcomes reported by providers have shown approximately an 80% success rate of individuals maintaining housing who are in permanent housing interventions.  Outcomes for diversion and reunification interventions, have shown 70% of individuals remain housed at the 30 day follow up.
  *   How many of the 45% of people who have gone through CE and report being in Boulder County for less than one month come from outside of Colorado? ​Of the 45% who have been in Boulder County less than a month, 36% report to have come from outside of Colorado.
  *   Is there a significant gap between referrals and access to services? For example, is everyone referred to services (e.g., through BTHERE) able to access services within 1-2 weeks? Yes, access to most services can be accomplished in a 1-2 week time period (shelter, medical, SNAP, Medicaid, ID documents).  Other services such as behavior health and permanent housing take more time.
  *   Does BTHERE report locations of encampments to other groups or city departments? Are encampment locations identified through BTHERE tracked by the city or the Shelter? BTHERE is not directly involved in enforcement and does not report active camping through the campsite reporting channels. BTHERE may report locations of encampments to HHS to coordinate client services.
  *   Does diversion ensure safety for people who may be fleeing domestic violence, sexual or gender identity discrimination, etc.?  Yes, safety is a primary consideration.
  *   Has the shelter had turn aways during the summer in any previous year? No
  *   On p. 20, there is a reference to over 2,000 families served. Is that 2,000 families/year? Yes (countywide)
  *   On p. 21 there is a long list of ways that families experiencing homelessness are served (hotel vouchers for 60-70 families; domestic violence shelter for 425 families; short term and transitional housing for 260 families). What portion of the costs for those services is accounted for by the $700,000 expense for family homelessness referenced on p. 17? The $700,000 is City of Boulder expenditure only. 17% to EFFA for family homelessness prevention and sheltering, 15% for domestic violence sheltering, 68% for the Keep Families Housed Program
  *   Is hoteling the proposed solution of the city, county, and local service providers to address the fact that funding for interventions for unhoused families is expected to run out in Q3 2022? Is there additional funding secured for hoteling?  The expected request for hotels is due to a general increase in need – national trend, disasters, COVID, etc. The request has not been formally made of the city but is imminently expected. They are exhausting county or state options first.
  *   Does the county have a response plan for rapid housing in natural disasters that put restrictions on our ability to use hoteling as an option for families and others who were already experiencing homelessness?

COVID did have an impact in the Marshall fire. Normally, emergency sheltering occurs outside of a hotel model (recreation centers, etc.).

  *   What are 2-3 examples of the most frequent “quality-of-life” violations that lead to interactions with community court? Camping, Trespass, Tents and Nets prohibited
  *   Do we have a plan for maximizing the safety of people who are not using sheltering options during critical weather? HOT and outreach team members work with the unhoused to communicate shelter options. There is also a coordinated HSBC outreach and communications plan.
  *   Do all city estimated expenditures in the table on p. 34 come from the general fund? ​These expenditures come from the General Fund and the Affordable housing fund
  *   Approximately how much of the city funds noted on p. 34 go toward sheltering?  11%
  *   Does the Boulder County spending table on p. 34 represent county funds coming to our city for homelessness? Or, does it represent all county expenditures for homelessness? It represents all county expenditures
Thanks,

Kurt Firnhaber
Director of Housing and Human Services

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://webappsprod.bouldercolorado.gov/mailing-lists/mailman-archive/bouldercouncilhotline/attachments/20220831/7dab8ab9/attachment.html