eamples. Homelessness a ted ise. It is a mixture FIERCELY ELTA BELTA COLORADO 1416 City of Delta Happenings!. By Ejee Gesellery Dela Ciry Manager Homeless in Delta We have had a nociceable uptick in our home- less population, and a corresponding uptick of complaines about our homeless population. While not an official count, we are estimating that there are approximascly 60 unhoused individuals in the Cit of Delta right now I've heard that most of the homeless on our streets have been bussed or shipped here by other communities. While that is certainly a possibility, many of the individuals that live on our streets today With the cost of housing ever increasing, and a lack of affordable housing options, mote and moee of our community are at risk have family or a personal connection to the area. of homeleisness. is a compassionate commanity. We have a core group of volunteers that work countless hours to upport numerous un- housed individuals in the coldest months of the year peoviding food and shelter. This is a thankless and gracling act of kindness. The remainder of the year there are no services for those that are unhoused. None. Nowhere or to escape I've had many people suggest that the City needs to do more: I and have been looking to to f the summer. r communities for the best of mental health issues, drug nate circumstances, and yes cerainly some poor choices ton. The reality is that solutions to homelessness are also complicat- alcohol addiction, unfortu- ed and c lxpensive. It is quite frustrating that during the first weekend that our new pocket park on Main St. openmed, there were people camping out. It's s equally frustrating to see poople sleeping on our Main St. benches, or hanging out at the picnic shelters at our parks. So why isn't the City of Delta pushing these folks out? Why are we not ticketing ple answer is we are doing everything we are allowed s Someone, them. However there have been them for loitening, or arresting them? The sim- to. When homeless or not, beeaks the law we ticket or amest Supreme Court nul- ings recently that establih a few principles that we must follow. Fine and foremost, homelessness is not a crime. The homeless haye jat as a right to be in gublic places as you and me. They also have the right to pensonal posscisions, whether that is something they carry on their back or push around i Shopping carts, unfortunately, are a grey arca! Loitering, pan- a stroller, and camping bans have all been challngu mtn closer to home in in Denver. Boulder and the governmenes lost. Campine bans Junction can work, but only and Grand Sre is an alternative for those that are unhoused. Re cent Supeeme camping hans cannot be enforced when there is no capacity in ncy sheleen or other housing available. Diamanling of die oquires advance notice and needs to be siol ae How does all of this apply to Delta? The City could currently be accused of breaking the law and violating the civil rights of those that are unhousod, if we enforce our camping bans and loitering laws, when there are no altermatives available to our homeles population. As of today. our homeless population has no other Court rulings against Denver basically state that concems. peions different facilities and locations but frankly: thene is nowhere for E are doing what we can to encourage them to use hem to go escepe where they ate We apree that the City needs to d what do we do? We are exploeing several ideas. First, strength- ning a partnenhip with the Abraham Connection Homeless Shelter and the County, to find a solution to provide year round services to those that are unhoused. Second, hire a homeless co- ordinator that can work hand in hand with the Health Depart- ment, the Human Services Department at the Councy. as well as the Housing Auchority, to find housing and support for those individuals that qualify, and want to get off the street. Thind. create a location for the homeless to salely congres day, where they have access to basic services, and continue to we have to target the true, problematic individuals that remain. The bottom line is that our hands are tied, unless there is a doc- unmentable violation of law, and until we as a City and a commu- nity, are able to capand our services. We neodi Year round shelter and food services Daily congregation locations The question is during the w will utilize the law enforcement and legal resources that l service e support Transitional and supportive housing We are preparing to do our part and would welcome any and all community partners to join in these efforts. If you would like to be part of the solution, please contact me! Elyieecityoldelta.net And if you are able to voluntcer. please contact the Abeaham Connection Homeless Shelter at 970-773-8290. eamples. Homelessness a ted ise. It is a mixture FIERCELY ELTA BELTA COLORADO 1416 City of Delta Happenings!. By Ejee Gesellery Dela Ciry Manager Homeless in Delta We have had a nociceable uptick in our home- less population, and a corresponding uptick of complaines about our homeless population. While not an official count, we are estimating that there are approximascly 60 unhoused individuals in the Cit of Delta right now I've heard that most of the homeless on our streets have been bussed or shipped here by other communities. While that is certainly a possibility, many of the individuals that live on our streets today With the cost of housing ever increasing, and a lack of affordable housing options, mote and moee of our community are at risk have family or a personal connection to the area. of homeleisness. is a compassionate commanity. We have a core group of volunteers that work countless hours to upport numerous un- housed individuals in the coldest months of the year peoviding food and shelter. This is a thankless and gracling act of kindness. The remainder of the year there are no services for those that are unhoused. None. Nowhere or to escape I've had many people suggest that the City needs to do more: I and have been looking to to f the summer. r communities for the best of mental health issues, drug nate circumstances, and yes cerainly some poor choices ton. The reality is that solutions to homelessness are also complicat- alcohol addiction, unfortu- ed and c lxpensive. It is quite frustrating that during the first weekend that our new pocket park on Main St. openmed, there were people camping out. It's s equally frustrating to see poople sleeping on our Main St. benches, or hanging out at the picnic shelters at our parks. So why isn't the City of Delta pushing these folks out? Why are we not ticketing ple answer is we are doing everything we are allowed s Someone, them. However there have been them for loitening, or arresting them? The sim- to. When homeless or not, beeaks the law we ticket or amest Supreme Court nul- ings recently that establih a few principles that we must follow. Fine and foremost, homelessness is not a crime. The homeless haye jat as a right to be in gublic places as you and me. They also have the right to pensonal posscisions, whether that is something they carry on their back or push around i Shopping carts, unfortunately, are a grey arca! Loitering, pan- a stroller, and camping bans have all been challngu mtn closer to home in in Denver. Boulder and the governmenes lost. Campine bans Junction can work, but only and Grand Sre is an alternative for those that are unhoused. Re cent Supeeme camping hans cannot be enforced when there is no capacity in ncy sheleen or other housing available. Diamanling of die oquires advance notice and needs to be siol ae How does all of this apply to Delta? The City could currently be accused of breaking the law and violating the civil rights of those that are unhousod, if we enforce our camping bans and loitering laws, when there are no altermatives available to our homeles population. As of today. our homeless population has no other Court rulings against Denver basically state that concems. peions different facilities and locations but frankly: thene is nowhere for E are doing what we can to encourage them to use hem to go escepe where they ate We apree that the City needs to d what do we do? We are exploeing several ideas. First, strength- ning a partnenhip with the Abraham Connection Homeless Shelter and the County, to find a solution to provide year round services to those that are unhoused. Second, hire a homeless co- ordinator that can work hand in hand with the Health Depart- ment, the Human Services Department at the Councy. as well as the Housing Auchority, to find housing and support for those individuals that qualify, and want to get off the street. Thind. create a location for the homeless to salely congres day, where they have access to basic services, and continue to we have to target the true, problematic individuals that remain. The bottom line is that our hands are tied, unless there is a doc- unmentable violation of law, and until we as a City and a commu- nity, are able to capand our services. We neodi Year round shelter and food services Daily congregation locations The question is during the w will utilize the law enforcement and legal resources that l service e support Transitional and supportive housing We are preparing to do our part and would welcome any and all community partners to join in these efforts. If you would like to be part of the solution, please contact me! Elyieecityoldelta.net And if you are able to voluntcer. please contact the Abeaham Connection Homeless Shelter at 970-773-8290.