Colorado Springs Homeless Outreach Program could run out of money in 2023

Advocates for a Colorado Springs Fireplace Division staff that helps serve the wants of the native homeless inhabitants are hoping the town finds a extra steady funding supply for this system earlier than the grant presently financing it runs out subsequent 12 months. 

The fireplace division’s Homeless Outreach Program started in 2019. Its 4 member staff consists of paramedics and psychological well being staff who spend their days within the components of the town’s downtown most frequented by the unhoused. The HOP members present in-the-moment care and likewise join people with native sources.  

“When I’m out of my depth, I name the HOP staff,” mentioned Kristy Milligan, CEO of the Colorado Springs interfaith human companies group Westside Cares. 

“I’ll inform you that the HOP staff works with the folks which might be probably the most seen, which have probably the most intractable issues,” she mentioned.

Milligan was one in all a number of residents who spoke in favor of the HOP staff throughout a current public listening to on the town’s proposed 2023 price range. This system would want to safe greater than $400,000 {dollars} yearly to proceed its work past subsequent June, when its grant funding dries up. 

Jerry White, advocacy committee chair for the native nonprofit Bike Colorado Springs, mentioned the HOP staff has been offering efficient intervention alongside the town’s downtown path hall, serving to preserve it secure and clear for all customers. It’s a path system the town has spent roughly $400 million {dollars} to create and preserve.

“Colorado Springs ceaselessly receives complaints in regards to the difficulties of utilizing our trails resulting from blockage and different security issues,” White mentioned. “We strongly encourage elevated funding for companies that contribute to the remediation of the issue.”

Metropolis council member Dave Donelson instructed these attending the listening to that the town’s Fireplace Chief Randy Royal didn’t listing the HOP staff as a funding precedence in his proposed price range for the division.

“He did not put it on there as one thing that must be funded by means of the overall fund. They suppose they will [continue to] get the cash by means of grants,” Donelson mentioned.

Some Metropolis Council members have additionally recommended doable extra funding within the police division might be moved to the fireplace division to assist the HOP staff.

The Colorado Springs Police Division additionally has a separate Homeless Outreach Staff.

Town council will make its last determination on the 2023 price range in December.