Denver HOST previews contract amendments to expand rapid rehousing; no vote taken

Denver City Council’s Community Planning and Housing Committee heard an informational briefing Sept. 9 from Midori Higa, director of homelessness resolution programs at the Department of Housing Stability (HOST), on proposed amendments to a set of existing rapid rehousing contracts intended to add cost-of-living increases, reallocate funds from a canceled Salvation Army contract and expand services targeted to families.

Higa told the committee that the amendments would add funding to several existing contracts, including: Jewish Family Service of Colorado (locally funded) +$1,467,487; Dolores Project +$22,278; Urban Peak +$12,079; Volunteers of America — Rapid Rehousing Plus Care +$1,102,542; Volunteers of America — Green Willow (domestic-violence survivor program) +$6,663; Volunteers of America — Shelter-into-Rapid Rehousing (families) +$1,184,433; and a separate Jewish Family Service state/grant contract +$795,766. Higa said one Jewish Family Service contract term would be extended through June 30, 2026, after an initial misstatement, and that most of the other affected contracts were originally three-year terms.

The proposed increases are primarily for staffing cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), ongoing rental…