The Coalition Receives Approval of its Initial Application to Acquire Federal Center Property
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2018
Contact:
Cathy Alderman
Vice President of Communications and Public Policy
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
303-312-9638
calderman@coloradocoalition.org
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Receives Approval of its Initial Application to Acquire Federal Center Property to Assist the Homeless
Lakewood, CO – The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved the initial application to provide housing and services to assist the homeless on Federal Center property in Lakewood, Colorado. HHS approved the plan submitted by CCH to provide emergency shelter, transitional housing and services for homeless families and individuals on the site. This approval means that CCH will enter the next phase of the application process to acquire the 50-acre parcel which requires a detailed financing and operational plan to be submitted to HHS by March 9, 2018.
“This approval brings us one step closer to being able to provide safe and stable shelter, housing and services for hundreds of families and individuals that are currently experiencing homelessness. We are proud to bring our over 30 years of experience of providing lasting solutions to homelessness and to build a better and stronger community for the Jefferson County area,” said John Parvensky, President and CEO of CCH. “We will continue to collaborate with local elected officials, service providers and community members to make sure we are addressing the unique needs of the local community in our ongoing effort to improve the lives of so many that have been marginalized and left behind in Colorado.”
CCH submitted a letter of intent to HHS to acquire the property under Title V of The McKinney Vento Act in October 2017 after a court halted a public auction for the land. The Court found that the federal government’s determination that the land was not suitable to assist the homeless was “arbitrary and capricious” and ran afoul of the intent of the McKinney Vento Act. CCH has proposed a two-phase development project that will provide emergency shelter, support services and permanent housing to hundreds of individuals and families in the Jefferson County area that are currently forced to live on the streets, in their cars and in motels because of a severe lack of affordable housing options.
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has proven for three decades that providing affordable and supportive housing with health care helps our communities provide safe environments for children to learn, for adults to recovery from substance abuse and receive medical treatment, and for many individuals who have experienced trauma to receive much needed behavioral and mental health services. Such housing and services also reduce the unnecessary taxpayer costs of emergency services, including police and courts, emergency room and hospital costs, detox, and similar costs. CCH believes the Federal Center Property provides a unique opportunity to create a new development to make Jefferson County a community where everyone has a safe place to call home and an opportunity to thrive.
For more background on this story:
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Wins Federal Center Land Suitability Case Against HUD
US District Court Orders GSA to Delay Auction of Federal Center Station Property
About Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Since its founding over 30 years ago, the organization has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing and service programs. The Coalition’s comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to over 18,000 individuals and families each year. Learn more at www.coloradocoalition.org.
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