Tri Cities group reviews homelessness services, launches RFP for permanent supportive housing study and reports PIT-count activity

Tri Cities homelessness coordinators met virtually to review family-focused navigation services, outline a request for proposals for a permanent supportive housing (PSH) feasibility assessment, report on the recent point-in-time (PIT) count and discuss emergency-shelter coordination during severe cold weather.

Shanna Jones, family resource navigator for Arapahoe County Human Services, described the county's Family Resource Navigator team and how to refer households. Jones said the team has five navigators and works only with households that include children under age 18 in the home. "Our motto is we will find a way," Jones said. She said program involvement typically lasts 30 to 90 days, navigators usually reach out within 48 hours of a referral, and referrals must come from human services staff or community partners. For urgent needs, Jones advised calling the navigators by phone; non-urgent referrals can be submitted via an electronic form that asks for date of birth, phone and email for the client and for the referring party.

Devin Granbury, city manager of Sheridan, presented an overview of an RFP the Tri Cities plans to issue for a PSH feasibility and implementation study. Granbury said the statement of work contains five core elements: data collection and an environmental scan; community engagement and education; provider engagement and assessments; a strategic implementation…