DOLA releases homelessness playbook ahead of Special Session
By Robert Davis
Photo by Giles Clasen
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Ahead of the November 30 start date for Colorado’s special session, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) released a playbook for lawmakers on how to address the State’s homelessness crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOLA’s Office of Homelessness Initiatives (OHI) compiled the document in consultation with the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, community stakeholders, and those with lived experience from throughout the state.
The playbook is broken down into four goals: stopping homelessness before it starts, identifying at-risk individuals, connecting people with services, and addressing structural issues like housing security.
“This playbook is a revitalization of OHI goals and actions to more strategically address the homelessness issues facing our state," DOLA Executive Director Rick Garcia said in a statement. “It deliberately aligns us with other state agencies all working together to make homelessness history."
The playbook is broken down into four goals: stopping homelessness before it starts, identifying at-risk individuals, connecting people with services, and addressing structural issues like housing security.
Some solutions offered include providing affordable rental housing, increasing street outreach and rapid re-housing programs, and opening shelters with low barriers to entry.
One example the playbook highlights is the Colorado Springs Auditorium, which is being used as a shelter for those experiencing homelessness and who either present symptoms of or have tested positive for COVID-19. The City expects to operate the shelter through spring 2021.
The playbook also praised Denver Road Home’s OneHome program for nearly tripling housing placements in 2019.
"Safe, stable housing is critical to helping folks work through behavioral health issues, care for their children, or find employment to move out of poverty," CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes said in a statement.
In his executive order calling for the special session, Governor Polis made it clear he wants legislators to provide direct housing and rental aid and address food insecurity.
“We are living in a moment of unprecedented urgency,” Governor Polis said in a statement. “We will act to support our small businesses who face challenging months ahead, provide relief to hardworking people, support child care, and improve broadband access for students and educators.”