City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2017 07 11

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Housing & Homelessness Safe and stable housing is an essential component to physical and mental health and overall well-being. Housing affordability and homelessness are prominent local issues that deeply affect community members of all ages. In 2016 there were at least 726 homeless people identified in Boulder County through a point in time study, and more than half of those identified had been homeless for more than one year. Homelessness is a growing problem for families, who cannot afford housing in our community. Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley School Districts had 844 homeless students in 2016, a number that has risen steadily over the past several years. For those residents who have housing, the rising cost of housing in Boulder County has increased financial stress and security for many households. In 2015, roughly 59% X X 0 X ida Ina of Boulder County renters were considered "housing cost -burdened," spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Nearly 30% of Boulder County renters were "severely housing cost -burdened," spending more than 50% of their income on housing. At its most basic, housing challenges can threaten a person's health, safety, and economic wellbeing. Evidence shows a direct link between positive health outcomes and stable, affordable housing. Across Boulder County, many communities have made strong investments in affordable and attainable housing, and other supports for homeless individuals. While no agency on its own can completely solve the problem, Boulder County's network of nonprofits helps many people improve their housing situation. Homelessness: Temporarily homeless and chronically homeless individuals and families need sheltering options, particularly during life-threatening weather conditions. Chronically homeless individuals often have a disability and have been homeless for long periods of time, whereas some families and individuals who are homeless intermittently are making do by "couch -surfing" or living with other families. Worthy Cause -supported nonprofits offer a number of services designed to minimize the hazards and impacts of homelessness, and transition people to more stable housing. This may include temporary overnight shelter, meals, homeless prevention programs, and outreach to help connect people to available assistance. To help transition the chronically homeless into safe housing environments, Worthy Cause has supported permanently supportive housing programs that provide housing in conjunction with ongoing wrap-around services. [See page 9] Homeless prevention: For many families and individuals in Boulder County the high cost of housing makes paying for other expenses particularly difficult. Housing cost -burdened households have less income available for nutrition, health care, education, child care, transportation, and savings funds may be reduced, meaning these other important areas of wellbeing may suffer. Households struggling to meet all of these needs are at risk for missing rent payments, mortgage or insurance payments, property tax payments, or other housing costs. Worthy Cause has supported programs that help keep individuals and families housed, preventing the more costly interventions that come with homelessness. Affordable Housing: The soaring cost of housing is pricing out low-income residents and middle-income residents alike. Across Boulder County, more than 9,000 market rate homes that were once affordable to low-, moderate-, and middle-income households are no longer affordable due to price inflation. Non-profit agencies and housing authorities play a critical role in preserving affordable housing, and providing housing options for special populations who may have a harder time finding housing. The Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership is recommending a regional goal of 15,000 to 22,000 diverse affordable housing units for low- and middle-income households by 2035, and Worthy Cause has been integral to achieving this goal. 7 Boulder County l Worthy Cause 111 12