State tax check-off helps residents
contribute to homeless prevention

 Tax preparation time is here, and Broomfield residents filing Colorado state income tax returns can help prevent homelessness right here in Broomfield.

 Taxpayers can make a contribution to prevent Broomfield residents from becoming homeless through the Homeless Prevention Act Program (HPAP) tax check-off on state income tax returns.   The program is administered through the Colorado Trust and funding is awarded through an annual competitive bid process. Funds from this year’s check-off will be awarded for 2006-07.

 For 2004-05, Broomfield Health and Human Services (HHS) received funds to provide direct intervention to 28 people in eight Broomfield families.  For 2005-06, Broomfield’s award was increased, allowing HHS to prevent homelessness for 43 people in 11 families. 

 All of the HPAP funds awarded to Broomfield went toward direct payments to landlords on behalf of eligible families to prevent their eviction.  Broomfield HHS partnered with FISH, the Broomfield Community Foundation and Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) to leverage HPAP funds so that more families could be served.  At this time, the 2005-2006 Homelessness Prevention Program Activity funds have been fully spent.  New HPAP funding will not be available until October 1, 2006.

 Broomfield residents can voluntarily contribute to HPAP by checking the HPAP box on their state returns.   The more money that is contributed to this program, the more resources will be returned to serve Broomfield residents in need.

 For more information, residents may call Jan Hamilton at (720) 887-2279.