HHS, FISH participate
in statewide homeless survey 

FISH of Broomfield and the city’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Department will participate in a statewide homeless count on August 28 and 29 in Broomfield to help state government understand the causes of homelessness. The survey will gather information to help in statewide planning efforts concerning the allocation of resources, and in creating public awareness that homelessness may be a statewide concern.   

In Broomfield, all individuals who meet the federal HUD definition of “homeless” on the evening of August 28 will be asked to participate in this anonymous survey so that accurate counts are on record for the city. 

Volunteers will be at FISH during the day Tuesday, Aug. 29, to accept calls and conduct the survey by phone to those homeless Broomfield residents who call in (303-465-1600). It is critical that all individuals residing in Broomfield who meets the HUD definition of “homeless” by the evening of August 28 participate in this anonymous survey to insure accurate counts. 

HHS staff will be available at 6 Garden Center, in the second floor Broadlands conference room, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day to assist any individual wishing to complete the survey in person.  Survey information may also be collected at other locations throughout Broomfield, including the Detention Facility, Broomfield Police Department, the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library or by faith-based organizations.

Anyone who may know of homeless Broomfield residents is asked to contact Sharon Farrell at 720-887-2257 or Jan Hamilton 720-887-2279 for more information.  

Homelessness includes individuals who are: 

•  living in transitional housing,

• being evicted within seven days and have no other place to go,

• homeless prior to short term hospital or institutional stays,

• incarcerated and to be discharged within 30 days with no place to live;

• fleeing domestic violence with no place to go, or

• staying, temporarily, with friends, family, in a car, shelter, outside, receiving hotel vouchers, etc., because there is no other place for them to stay.

It has been 17 years since a statewide homeless count was conducted.  In January 2006, The Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative conducted a Point-In-Time Homelessness Survey through the seven county Denver metro area, including Broomfield, to determine how many homeless individuals are living in the Denver metro area.     Based on the responses, there were 74 individuals identified as being “homeless” in Broomfield.  Of those persons identified, 33 were under the age of 12; 58 were households with children; 26 were living temporarily with family/friends and 29 were living in time-limited housing.

 

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