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By Robin Bohannan
On behalf of the Homeless Solutions for Boulder County Executive Board (HSBC), I would like to extend our deep appreciation for the efforts of the Boulder Chamber, its partners and the larger business community in their recent effort to develop a homeless response framework (“Boulder’s business community is united behind solution to homelessness crisis,” Daily Camera, May 21). HSBC, established in October 2017, is a countywide, public-private effort that works collaboratively to implement solutions to ending homelessness for many of our most vulnerable residents. Due to the complex nature of homelessness, solutions are likely to require collective action and a willingness to invest over the long term. Given the many ideas and approaches presented in the business community’s framework that overlap with current HSBC efforts, we look forward to working where possible to support and collaborate on the proposed solutions.
HSBC efforts are guided by the Housing First model, a national best practice that has proven to be successful. Housing First prioritizes helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness obtain a stable housing solution as quickly as possible. The goal of HSBC is to provide adults experiencing homelessness with targeted services that respond to their individual needs to support quick, stable housing solutions. Once an individual is housed, HSBC focuses efforts on matching an individual’s needs to the most appropriate resources and interventions to help them achieve stable, permanent housing.
HSBC’s service and policy efforts include, but are not limited to:
• Long-term efforts to increase housing options including permanent supportive housing to address those with the greatest needs;
• Recruitment of landlords to increase vouchers acceptance and mitigate problems that result from substance use;
• Investment in the Boulder Shelter for the homeless, bridge housing, recovery homes and other housing options;
• Provision of outreach to encourage individuals to engage in services and to develop an understanding of the unhoused population;
• Delivery of case management and other services to help individuals access and maintain housing;
• Funding for substance use disorder, mental health treatment and other needed services;
• Overall system coordination across government, non-profit, housing authorities and other community partners to ensure services are well-managed.
We are pleased that the business community’s framework is consistent with these service and policy efforts.
Given the significant impacts homelessness has on families, individuals and the broader community, it is imperative that partners from all sectors become involved. Moreover, an effective response requires significant funding resources which, due to other pressing needs, is not currently sufficient to support all efforts.
We welcome opportunities to partner with the business community and all interested parties to advance our many shared goals.
Robin Bohannan is the director of the Boulder County Community Services and the chair of Homeless Solutions for Boulder County.
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