(The Center Square)- Denver is looking to approve a $2.1 million contract for the operations and planning services for a 200-unit non-congregate shelter.
The contract between the city and county of Denver and Bayaud Enterprises, Inc. will run from June 16, 2024, until Dec. 31, 2024, according to agenda documents from the Aug. 20, 2024, Mayor-Council meeting.
Bayaud Enterprises, Inc., a local nonprofit, will run the operations of the 200-unit non-congregate shelter located at 4849 Bannock St in Denver and is the site of a Radisson Hotel. The nonprofit will provide housing-focused case management, housing navigation, benefits enrollment, a full range of case management services, and any other services that promote long-term stability and well-being, according to the documents.
“Non-congregate shelter plays a vital role in the city’s goals to help persons living on the street transition out of homelessness. Facilities like the one at 4849 Bannock provide a safe, stable sheltering option as well as wraparound services. Being able to access services such as housing and benefits navigation, mental health and substance use support, and case management at the same site where they are sheltered gives clients a higher chance of successfully transitioning to permanent housing and stability.” said the city in an email to The Center Square.
The contract states that Bayaud Enterprises, Inc. will ensure that households served during the contract term successfully leave the shelter for stable or permanent housing while engaging in and providing rehousing services, individualized housing focus case management, and attaining some form of financial assistance and/or benefit enrollments, and supply three meals a day.
Mental health support, substance use, and harm-reduction services, physical health care services, and medical, dental, and vision services are directly provided by the shelter or other providers, according to the document.
The contract stated that Bayaud Enterprises, Inc. will provide those services, as well as long-term reporting and documentation, up-to-date records, and the intake process in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for new clients, to ensure the necessary support services under the program.
Mayor Mike Johnston announced a new goal to bring 2,000 people indoors by Dec. 31, 2024, after achieving the city’s original goal of 1,000 people indoors in 2023 through the All in Mile High website. According to the program’s website, the city has moved 1,673 people indoors through the All in Mile High initiative.
