Q&A: Understanding the City of Delta's Response to Homelessness - Resources, Trends, and Ongoing Challenges As homelessness continues to impact communities nationwide, the City of Delta is working to address the issue with a multifaceted approach. Here's a closer look at how the city is responding, the resources that are available, and what more is needed based on insights from Delta Police Department and local leadership. Q: How is the city addressing homelessness concerns? A: The City of Delta is proactively addressing homelessness with an approach that blends compassion, structure, and long-term strategy. In response to rising community concerns and visible impacts in public spaces, the city has launched a series of initiatives- anchored by the construction of a year-round emergency shelter and the continued success of its Crisis Prevention Unit (CPU). Emergency Shelter: The City of Delta purchased the former work release building from the county for $390,000. In exchange, the city sold the former police station to the county for $415,000. Currently the shelter is under renovation and anticipated to be complete by late summer. The shelter is designed to serve as both a day shelter and an emergency overnight shelter, de- pending on seasonal needs. The daytime warming and cooling shelter gives unhoused individuals a safe, supervised place to rest, access resources, and connect with services during the daytime hours when traditional overnight shelters are closed. In addition to respite from extreme weather, the facility will include hygiene stations, a commercial kitchen, case manage- ment, and referrals to additional care and housing options. This approach helps reduce strain on public parks, business corri- dors, and emergency services, while offering a humane and structured response to individuals experiencing homelessness. Crisis Prevention Unit (CPU): CPU coordinates closely with law enforcement, but it is not an en- forcement body. It exists to pro- vide a human-centered response to homelessness, supporting people in crisis and guiding them toward longer-term solutions. The CPU case managers are not licensed clinicians, but they do support the unhoused with: »Mentoring and the provision of food, water, clothing, and hygiene supplies. »Local transportation to appoint- ments, interviews, and jobs. » Assistance acquiring essential documents such as a valid ID or birth certificate. » Referrals to specialized services including: mental health care, sub- stance abuse treatment, healthcare, detox centers, permanent housing programs, social services, law en- forcement, and legal aid. » Connections to local organiza- tions such as shelters, churches, and businesses that offer further assistance. Holistic Policy and Enforcement Tools: Delta enforces an urban camping ordinance and nuisance code. The completion of the new shelter will provide a stronger footing for consistent enforcement that prioritizes health and safety. The city acknowledges that no single policy, shelter, or initiative can fully resolve homelessness. However, each tool is significant as it adds to a comprehensive sys- tem that increases effectiveness. Q: How is the city funding the Emergency Shelter and it's CPU? A: The City of Delta has funded Q: Is the city's response sustaina- ble long-term? A: While the shelter's startup and early operations are fully covered, sustaining long-term operations will require additional funding beyond the initial three-year win- dow. The city is evaluating state and federal funding sources that are available through grants. In addition, the city is exploring local and regional partnerships. Q: What trends are emerging in Delta's homeless population? A: Several concerning patterns have surfaced: »A growing number of individu- als are coming from outside the area with no established ties to Delta. »The aging population among the homeless is increasing, and they often have limited access to re- sources. »There has been a noticeable rise in the level of agitation and hostile behavior; both towards law en- forcement and the general public. »There is a severe shortage of mental health services available to meet the demand. Q: What are the city's greatest needs in addressing issues with homelessness? A: Key needs include: » Public education on the com- plexities of homelessness and the legal tools available. »Access to resources and support that extend beyond traditional weekday hours help is needed 24/7. » Criminal accountability to en- sure that unlawful behavior is ad- dressed appropriately, regardless of housing status. Q: How effective has the city's camping ban and public nuisance ordinance been? A: These policies have shown some effectiveness, but significant challenges remain. The city does recognize the need for improved coordination among the municipal judge, prosecutor, city attorney, and its police staff. Local law enforcement, municipal court, and city administration are meeting to discuss how to improve their collective efforts. Q: What should residents and members of the community know moving forward? A: Several important points to consider: >> Homelessness is a nationwide crisis not unique to Delta. How- ever, Delta is taking a proactive approach that is being recognized and replicated by other communi- ties. >> Public awareness and education are critical. People must under- stand the intersection of homeless- ness with issues such as mental health, substance use, and eco- nomic challenges. »Homelessness standalone issue. It's often deeply tied to drug use, mental illness, lack of affordable housing, and financial instability. is not a Join us at the upcoming May 13th both initiatives entirely through City Council Work Session for a grant funding a significant ac- complishment for a rural city with limited resources. The city secured over $3 million in state funding, including: $1.9 million Homelessness Transformational Response Grant (THR): Funding street outreach, staffing, case management, and emergency shelter operations over a three-year period. community discussion on issues and concerns with the unhoused. Date: Tuesday, May 13th Time: 6:00PM Location: Bill Heddles Rec Center 531 N Palmer St, Delta, CO 81416 WWW.CITYOFDELTA.NET 360 MAIN ST, DELTA CO 970.874.7566 $1.2 million Transformational DELTA Connect with us! Affordable Housing Grant (TAHG): Supporting the renovation of the new shelter facility. EST. 1882 Q & A : Understanding the City of Delta's Response to Homelessness - Resources , Trends , and Ongoing Challenges As homelessness continues to impact communities nationwide , the City of Delta is working to address the issue with a multifaceted approach . Here's a closer look at how the city is responding , the resources that are available , and what more is needed based on insights from Delta Police Department and local leadership . Q : How is the city addressing homelessness concerns ? A : The City of Delta is proactively addressing homelessness with an approach that blends compassion , structure , and long - term strategy . In response to rising community concerns and visible impacts in public spaces , the city has launched a series of initiatives- anchored by the construction of a year - round emergency shelter and the continued success of its Crisis Prevention Unit ( CPU ) . Emergency Shelter : The City of Delta purchased the former work release building from the county for $ 390,000 . In exchange , the city sold the former police station to the county for $ 415,000 . Currently the shelter is under renovation and anticipated to be complete by late summer . The shelter is designed to serve as both a day shelter and an emergency overnight shelter , de- pending on seasonal needs . The daytime warming and cooling shelter gives unhoused individuals a safe , supervised place to rest , access resources , and connect with services during the daytime hours when traditional overnight shelters are closed . In addition to respite from extreme weather , the facility will include hygiene stations , a commercial kitchen , case manage- ment , and referrals to additional care and housing options . This approach helps reduce strain on public parks , business corri- dors , and emergency services , while offering a humane and structured response to individuals experiencing homelessness . Crisis Prevention Unit ( CPU ) : CPU coordinates closely with law enforcement , but it is not an en- forcement body . It exists to pro- vide a human - centered response to homelessness , supporting people in crisis and guiding them toward longer - term solutions . The CPU case managers are not licensed clinicians , but they do support the unhoused with : » Mentoring and the provision of food , water , clothing , and hygiene supplies . » Local transportation to appoint- ments , interviews , and jobs . » Assistance acquiring essential documents such as a valid ID or birth certificate . » Referrals to specialized services including : mental health care , sub- stance abuse treatment , healthcare , detox centers , permanent housing programs , social services , law en- forcement , and legal aid . » Connections to local organiza- tions such as shelters , churches , and businesses that offer further assistance . Holistic Policy and Enforcement Tools : Delta enforces an urban camping ordinance and nuisance code . The completion of the new shelter will provide a stronger footing for consistent enforcement that prioritizes health and safety . The city acknowledges that no single policy , shelter , or initiative can fully resolve homelessness . However , each tool is significant as it adds to a comprehensive sys- tem that increases effectiveness . Q : How is the city funding the Emergency Shelter and it's CPU ? A : The City of Delta has funded Q : Is the city's response sustaina- ble long - term ? A : While the shelter's startup and early operations are fully covered , sustaining long - term operations will require additional funding beyond the initial three - year win- dow . The city is evaluating state and federal funding sources that are available through grants . In addition , the city is exploring local and regional partnerships . Q : What trends are emerging in Delta's homeless population ? A : Several concerning patterns have surfaced : » A growing number of individu- als are coming from outside the area with no established ties to Delta . » The aging population among the homeless is increasing , and they often have limited access to re- sources . » There has been a noticeable rise in the level of agitation and hostile behavior ; both towards law en- forcement and the general public . » There is a severe shortage of mental health services available to meet the demand . Q : What are the city's greatest needs in addressing issues with homelessness ? A : Key needs include : » Public education on the com- plexities of homelessness and the legal tools available . » Access to resources and support that extend beyond traditional weekday hours help is needed 24/7 . » Criminal accountability to en- sure that unlawful behavior is ad- dressed appropriately , regardless of housing status . Q : How effective has the city's camping ban and public nuisance ordinance been ? A : These policies have shown some effectiveness , but significant challenges remain . The city does recognize the need for improved coordination among the municipal judge , prosecutor , city attorney , and its police staff . Local law enforcement , municipal court , and city administration are meeting to discuss how to improve their collective efforts . Q : What should residents and members of the community know moving forward ? A : Several important points to consider : >> Homelessness is a nationwide crisis not unique to Delta . How- ever , Delta is taking a proactive approach that is being recognized and replicated by other communi- ties . >> Public awareness and education are critical . People must under- stand the intersection of homeless- ness with issues such as mental health , substance use , and eco- nomic challenges . » Homelessness standalone issue . It's often deeply tied to drug use , mental illness , lack of affordable housing , and financial instability . is not a Join us at the upcoming May 13th both initiatives entirely through City Council Work Session for a grant funding a significant ac- complishment for a rural city with limited resources . The city secured over $ 3 million in state funding , including : $ 1.9 million Homelessness Transformational Response Grant ( THR ) : Funding street outreach , staffing , case management , and emergency shelter operations over a three - year period . community discussion on issues and concerns with the unhoused . Date : Tuesday , May 13th Time : 6:00 PM Location : Bill Heddles Rec Center 531 N Palmer St , Delta , CO 81416 WWW.CITYOFDELTA.NET 360 MAIN ST , DELTA CO 970.874.7566 $ 1.2 million Transformational DELTA Connect with us ! Affordable Housing Grant ( TAHG ) : Supporting the renovation of the new shelter facility . EST . 1882