HomeMy WebLinkAbout12641RESOLUTION NO. 12641
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORT TO
REDUCE HOMELESSNESS AND REPURPOSE THE
HISTORIC FT. LYON CAMPUS
WHEREAS, the repurposing of the historic Ft. Lyon campus in Las Animas would
provide transitional housing, supportive services, and vocational training for 300 of the
most vulnerable homeless individuals in order to help end veteran homelessness,
reduce chronic homelessness throughout Colorado, and sustain an economic driver for
southeastern Colorado; and
WHEREAS, this project would return Ft. Lyon to its original roots as a place of
recovery, and by way of its beautiful campus, supportive community, and partnership
with Otero Junior College and Lamar Community College, the project would offer the
opportunity to effectively recover homeless individuals by providing housing, supportive
services for substance abuse and mental health, and vocational training; and
WHEREAS, the partnership between local, state, and federal governments and
public and private sector partners would be the most collaborative and comprehensive
effort ever made to address Colorado’s homeless challenge; and
WHEREAS, the program would begin with 80 clients, increase to 200 clients by
July 2014, and maintain a population of 300 clients by July 2015. Participation in the
program would be voluntary, and participants would be evaluated to ensure that they
demonstrate both the need and the desire to recover; and
WHEREAS, Governor Hickenlooper has requested $2.74 million to operate the
facility through June 2014, and the funding would be matched by National Mortgage
Settlement funds. By introducing this program, Ft. Lyon would reduce the cost of
substance abuse treatment, jail incarceration, and temporary shelter costs for a chronic
homeless person by 60%, and would generate an estimated $2.3 million annually to the
local economy. NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
Section 1.
The Pueblo City Council recognizes the importance of this project not only for
local homeless veterans, but also for homeless veterans throughout Colorado.
Section 2
The Pueblo City Council supports the efforts to reduce veteran homelessness,
reduce chronic homelessness throughout Colorado, and to sustain an economic driver
for southeastern Colorado by repurposing the historic Ft. Lyon campus.
Section 3.
The Pueblo City Council supports Governor Hickenlooper’s request to provide
$2.74 million to operate this much-needed program through June 2014.
INTRODUCED: April 8, 2013
BY: Chris Nicoll
Background Paper for Proposed
RESOLUTION
DATE: AGENDA ITEM # Q-3
April 8, 2013
DEPARTMENT:
City Council
Chris Nicoll, City Council Vice-President
Chris Kaufman, City Council Member
TITLE:
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORT TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS AND
REPURPOSE THE HISTORIC FT. LYON CAMPUS
ISSUE:
Should the City Council approve a Resolution supporting the effort to reduce
homelessness and repurpose the historic Ft. Lyon campus?
RECOMMENDATION:
This Resolution is at the request of Council Members Nicoll and Kaufman.
BACKGROUND:
The repurposing of the historic Ft. Lyon campus in Las Animas is to provide transitional
housing, supportive services, and vocational training for 300 of the most vulnerable
homeless individuals in order to help end veteran homelessness, reduce chronic
homelessness throughout Colorado, and to sustain an economic driver for southeastern
Colorado. This Resolution would demonstrate the Council’s support of efforts to reduce
veteran homelessness, reduce chronic homelessness throughout Colorado, and to
sustain an economic driver for southeastern Colorado by repurposing the historic Ft.
Lyon campus.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.