SUBJECT: General Business
Title
Regional Working Group on Homelessness - Discussion
Body
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development
Department
PRESENTER(S): MJ Adams, Affordable Housing Manager
Sarah Nurmela, Planning & Development Director
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 10 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
The Council supports an inclusive approach to housing opportunity for all residents. The Regional Working Group will work towards addressing those individuals who are unhoused throughout Boulder County.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends discussion and direction to elected representatives who will attend the next Regional Working Group meeting.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The first session of the Regional Working Group on Homeless was held on Aug. 14, 2024. The Town’s Affordable Housing manager attended along with representation from Boulder, Superior, Longmont, Lyons, and Louisville.
Action Item for Discussion
The working group posed the following question for elected officials of the workgroup to answer:
1. What is your board or council process for decision-making on regional issues?
Examples:
a. Does your board or council have an adopted resolution regarding regional approaches to address homelessness? (Such as a Built for Zero declaration, or something similar)
b. Do you have a full delegation of authority on behalf of your board/council, or do you need time to circle back with the full board or council for direction between meetings?
Most of the elected officials indicated they needed to circle back to their board or council to confirm and/or decide the above.
Summary of Meeting Content
Heidi Grove, Boulder County lead staff person on homeless services, presented on the Housing First approach and the new federal “All In” plan.
Boulder County Commissioner Loachamin led a conversation on themes for the regional working group. Much of the conversation centered on the role of the regional working group as an advocate for funding support especially for the necessary support services for individuals/families as they work their way to more stable housing. Additional discussion addressed services to prevent homelessness as a critical element of the work.
The next meeting of the working group is Sept. 18. Boulder County Commissioner Loachamin hopes that all elected officials will have the discussion/confirmation about their decision-making role and process in advance of this next meeting.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ATTACHMENT(S):
None