Coldwater Housing Commission reports low shelter use, high return-to-homelessness rate

Lori Lisonbee, executive director of Coldwater Housing, presented the commission's 2024 annual report to the City Council, focusing on housing inventory, program changes and a recent needs assessment.

Lisonbee said the RAD conversion at Inglewood Apartments shifted rents to 30% of adjusted household income and opened units to families and younger adults. "The average adjusted household income was $17,721," she said, noting Social Security and disability comprised about 80% of tenant income.

The commission's five‑year needs assessment found that 55% of shelter clients in 2024 were families with children while overall shelter bed utilization was low: "Only 21% of beds were used in 2024," Lisonbee said, even though "3 to 4 people remain unsheltered nightly." She warned the council a closed permanent supportive housing grant in 2022 correlated with a high rate of return to homelessness: "We had 69 percent of returners," Lisonbee said, referring to people who cycled back into homelessness.

Lisonbee described renovations at Family Promise Shelter and operational practices intended to reduce evictions at Horizon Apartments, including coordination with partner case managers. She asked the council to support continued oversight and a planned follow‑up workshop to review the needs assessment.

City Manager Keith said the city charter requires an annual report from the housing commission and that the commission operates independently though council appoints board members.

The council did not take formal action on the report; staff indicated a workshop will be scheduled to review the assessment and next steps.