1. Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing
Approximately 6500 vouchers statewide with over 60 different contractors and partner agencies
Over 70% of the HCV vouchers are serving person with disabilities (nationwide average < 30%)
Loans and grants for affordable housing, single family owner occupied rehab, Disaster Recovery

2. Homeless Programs Team
Focus on programs that link housing & services that serve those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
* Manage Homeless Programs
* Furthering the goals of
“Pathways Home Colorado
“Opening Doors”
SHV
PSH
C-SCHARP
Fort Lyon
ESG
HPAP

3. Facilitate interagency collaboration, Identify gaps, Remove barriers,
The State’s Office of Homeless Youth Services (OHYS), within the Division of Housing Programs, was created by the Colorado State Legislature through the Homeless Youth Services Act (C.R.S ).
Coordinate services,
Facilitate interagency collaboration,
Identify gaps,
Remove barriers,
Improve access and information sharing
MISION to prevent and address youth experiencing homelessness by improving the quality, availability, and accessibility of services, supports and relationships that will provide solutions to homeless youth and those at risk of homelessness
 VISION Public, private, faith-based agencies, youth and families working together to prevent and address youth experiencing homelessness in Colorado
 VALUE STATEMENT In accordance with our Mission and Vision, we believe that every youth should have the opportunity to be safe, healthy, educated, connected and contributing (CO9to25) 
CORE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH Stable housing, permanent connections, education and employment and social/emotional wellbeing (USICH)

4. Advisory Committee on Homeless Youth

5. Office of Homeless Youth Services Action Plan
Increase capacity , leadership and collaboration
Increase access to supportive housing
Increase access to education and employment opportunities

6. Who We Serve

7. How Many Youth are Homeless in Colorado? More Than You Think!!
On average, for every young person who ages out, taxpayers and communities pay $300,000 in social cost
37% of youth exited foster care without a permanent family in Colorado
 More than 1 in 5 will become homeless after age 18
 Only 58% will graduate high school by age 19
 71% of young women are pregnant by 21
 At the age of 24, only half are employed
 Fewer than 3% will earn a college degree by age 25
 1 in 4 will be involved in the justice system within two years of leaving the foster care system

8. Wrapping services around each young person
Priorities
Wrapping services around each young person
Housing
Relationships
Substance Abuse
Treat-
ment
Education
Employment
Mentoring
Community Outreach
Life Skills
Behavioral Health that has low barriers, clinically and developmentally appropriate
Limited by educational attainment, vocational training are disproportionately needed services for young people experiencing homelessness
Public transportation to travel for services can be expensive and time consuming
Acquisition of Vital Documents
Services targeted to Pregnant and Parenting , LGBTQ, Criminal Backgrounds, and youth that have been Trafficked
Services that will increase young people’s income. Accessing employment and/or attaining SSI/SSDI are major needs.

9. Housing is the Platform With the Right Support at the Right Time
Numerous studies show that housing is the key to ending homelessness. *Source: Midwest study -Jim Casey & Chapin Hall
In crisis – shelter
At risk –transitional housing
Safe – Housing - subsidy
Stable – Housing - subsidy
Thriving – Independent Housing

11. Host Family Home
Host home is a new approach to housing youth particularly when there are no other options available Host Family Home created by House Bill concerning methods to reduce the number of homeless youth & accompanying regs
Funded by Colorado’s Homeless Prevention Activities Program (HPAP) funding
Emergency shelter up to 21 days and
Immediate Access to Food, Clothing, etc
Case Management & Referral to Services
Counseling
Family Reunification
Permanent Housing

12. Call To Action
* Participate on ACHY * November Homeless & Runaway Awareness Month * Youth Focused Point in Time Count * Adult Youth Partnerships
Youth Focused Point in Time Count ~ Make the Count, Count!!!
November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month – a time devoted to recognition of some of our community’s most hidden and vulnerable members.
Ways to Participate:
1.      *Socks, hats, gloves, toiletries
2.      *Incentives  (gift  cards and bus passes)
3.      *Survey youth
4.      *Want to help another way? Let us know.  

13. Thank You!!! autumn.gold@state.co.us
Knit Funding Streams together to maximize time for each youth to achieve Self Sufficiency
Hire Youth Leaders/Social Enterprise (Focus on Soft Skills)
Peer Mentors & Navigators
Asset Building Opportunities
Relationships that are not time limited
Youth Need Access to Services & Housing Not Just a Plan!!!!!!