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HAT Force asks Littleton for continued local partnership after $40,000 state grant shortfall
Summary
HAT Force (Homeless Awareness and Action Task Force South Metro) outlined its hotel-based severe-weather sheltering program and asked city leaders to consider strengthened local partnerships to cover a recent $40,000 shortfall in anticipated state DOLA funding.
HAT Force representatives told the Littleton City Council on Jan. 6 that their hotel-based severe-weather sheltering program serves some of the region’s most vulnerable people and now faces a funding shortfall that local partnerships could help fill.
Julie Hall, HAT Force’s program director, said the group operates October through April and activates sheltering when life-threatening conditions are forecast (for example, 32°F and wet or 20°F and dry). She described the operational model: clients check in at Spirit of Hope Church for intake, access clothing and hygiene supplies, receive a hot meal, and then are transported or vouchered into hotel rooms the same evening. “We have six hotels,” Hall said, “and this season we have a 40-room capacity. We have 250 clients registered with us this season.”
Christopher Hornbaker, HAT Force board president, spoke about funding pressures: “State DOLA grants that we used to depend on are far more competitive, far more restrictive, and they're very unpredictable,” he said, adding that HAT Force was shorted about $40,000 this season. Hornbaker urged the city to view HAT Force as a “cost avoidance tool” that can reduce emergency-response calls, hospitalizations and other downstream municipal costs if local partners provide predictable support.
Hall and Hornbaker listed partner organizations that support on-site services, including medical outreach teams, case managers, and volunteer meal providers. Hall said HAT Force sheltered families, single adults and people with disabilities or pets and reported three voucher events this season averaging 55 clients each; she also celebrated that nine clients were housed last year.
Council members thanked the presenters and noted the Tri Cities Homelessness Policy Group’s ongoing coordination; one councilmember reminded the body that Littleton provided $10,000 last year from ARPA funds to support regional homelessness efforts. HAT Force asked the council to consider continuing and expanding local funding partnerships to stabilize operations while state grant programs remain uncertain.
Next steps: Council members expressed support and city staff signaled follow-up on possible budget or partnership options. HAT Force invited council and residents to visit its operations during cold nights to see its work firsthand.
