News
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — When the Emergency Overflow program — where local churches provide homeless men a bed for the night — was founded five years ago, it was meant to be a temporary solution to overcrowding at the Homeward Bound shelter during the cold winter months.
Last year, the overflow program — a partnership between Grand Valley Peace and Justice, HomewardBound, churches, a synagogue, and other agencies — provided 2,854 bed nights to 95 (unduplicated) men.
This season, five of the 22 churches have pulled back from offering overnight shelter, citing “fatigue,” said Mollie Woodard, operations coordinator for HomewardBound homeless shelter.
“It was never intended to be a long-term solution, so it's pushing us forward.”
10-YEAR PLAN
The Homeless Coalition, comprised of 42 local agencies, began working a year ago on a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Mesa County. The final draft is expected to be finished in early March.
There are three primary focuses of the 10-year plan, Woodard said: Build 40 efficiency apartments for some of the chronically homeless population; form a youth shelter; and expand the current Homeward Bound shelter.
The efficiency apartments would house 40 chronically homeless individuals who have been identified to have a dual diagnosis, meaning they have both an addiction issue and a serious medical or mental health issue.
Out of those 40, at least seven persons made 103 trips to St. Mary's Hospital emergency room at a cost of $139,790, Woodard said.
Homeless people who are ill also often end up using the ambulance service, an average cost of $850 per ride, she said.
“Between June and August in 2011, 78 homeless persons took 115 trips via ambulance to the ER” at a cost of $97,750, Woodard said.
Evidence from other communities like Colorado Springs, and Denver show that hospitalizations decrease at least 50 percent when the chronically homeless are provided permanent housing. Providing single-room occupancy housing has reduced costs associated with the homeless in other communities.
“There's an illusion that the homeless is a transient population,” Woodard said.
The Point in Time survey, conducted in January 2011, states otherwise, she said. Out of the 1,000 homeless individuals contacted, 94 percent identified themselves as residents of Grand Junction for the past three years, Woodard said.
“They're residents of our community. They're not transients,” she said.
One-hundred seventy-four of those surveyed said they were homeless because they were unable to pay for rent and utilities due to loss of a job, Woodard said.
GALA FUNDRAISING EVENT
HomewardBound of the Grand Valley is gearing up for its signature fundraiser “Journey Home” — a catered gala event that will include a full bar, music by the band Landslide, live and silent auctions, and a multimedia exhibit on the homeless.
The new chapter of “See the Faces and Hear the Voices of our Homeless” is about children impacted by homelessness and features photographs and recorded interviews by Steve Maxwell.
Auction items include “romantic getaways to Wine Country Inn, Redstone Inn, Box Canyon Lodge, a diamond necklace from Page Parsons, local art, a beautiful diamond and blue topaz ring, tools and more.”
“Journey Home” will be held at the Mesa County Fairgrounds community building, 2785 U.S. Hwy 50, Saturday, Feb. 11. Tickets are $25 and doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online at HomewardBound GJ Facebook page, at the shelter, located at 2853 North Ave., or at the door. For more information, call 256-9424.
Last year, the overflow program — a partnership between Grand Valley Peace and Justice, HomewardBound, churches, a synagogue, and other agencies — provided 2,854 bed nights to 95 (unduplicated) men.
This season, five of the 22 churches have pulled back from offering overnight shelter, citing “fatigue,” said Mollie Woodard, operations coordinator for HomewardBound homeless shelter.
“It was never intended to be a long-term solution, so it's pushing us forward.”
10-YEAR PLAN
The Homeless Coalition, comprised of 42 local agencies, began working a year ago on a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Mesa County. The final draft is expected to be finished in early March.
There are three primary focuses of the 10-year plan, Woodard said: Build 40 efficiency apartments for some of the chronically homeless population; form a youth shelter; and expand the current Homeward Bound shelter.
The efficiency apartments would house 40 chronically homeless individuals who have been identified to have a dual diagnosis, meaning they have both an addiction issue and a serious medical or mental health issue.
Out of those 40, at least seven persons made 103 trips to St. Mary's Hospital emergency room at a cost of $139,790, Woodard said.
Homeless people who are ill also often end up using the ambulance service, an average cost of $850 per ride, she said.
“Between June and August in 2011, 78 homeless persons took 115 trips via ambulance to the ER” at a cost of $97,750, Woodard said.
Evidence from other communities like Colorado Springs, and Denver show that hospitalizations decrease at least 50 percent when the chronically homeless are provided permanent housing. Providing single-room occupancy housing has reduced costs associated with the homeless in other communities.
“There's an illusion that the homeless is a transient population,” Woodard said.
The Point in Time survey, conducted in January 2011, states otherwise, she said. Out of the 1,000 homeless individuals contacted, 94 percent identified themselves as residents of Grand Junction for the past three years, Woodard said.
“They're residents of our community. They're not transients,” she said.
One-hundred seventy-four of those surveyed said they were homeless because they were unable to pay for rent and utilities due to loss of a job, Woodard said.
GALA FUNDRAISING EVENT
HomewardBound of the Grand Valley is gearing up for its signature fundraiser “Journey Home” — a catered gala event that will include a full bar, music by the band Landslide, live and silent auctions, and a multimedia exhibit on the homeless.
The new chapter of “See the Faces and Hear the Voices of our Homeless” is about children impacted by homelessness and features photographs and recorded interviews by Steve Maxwell.
Auction items include “romantic getaways to Wine Country Inn, Redstone Inn, Box Canyon Lodge, a diamond necklace from Page Parsons, local art, a beautiful diamond and blue topaz ring, tools and more.”
“Journey Home” will be held at the Mesa County Fairgrounds community building, 2785 U.S. Hwy 50, Saturday, Feb. 11. Tickets are $25 and doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online at HomewardBound GJ Facebook page, at the shelter, located at 2853 North Ave., or at the door. For more information, call 256-9424.
GO&DO
What: “Journey Home” gala — Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley's signature fundraising event
When: 5:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 11 Where: Mesa County Fairgrounds community building Cost: $25 Info: 256-9424 |
HOMELESSNESS IN MESA COUNTY
There were 768 homeless persons identified in Mesa County in 2011. The HomewardBound shelter has operated at full capacity for the past three years, providing beds for 100 people each night. The shelter's policy is to first admit families, then women, then men. Those men who don't find space at the homeless shelter are sent to the Emergency Overflow program hosted by local churches.
