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Boulder County awarded Family Unification Program vouchers HUD program helps stabilize families and move them toward self-sufficiency
Jun 22nd
Boulder County, Colo. – In recognition of its effective, integrated approach to human services delivery, where children and families are offered a full continuum of early and preventative support services that increase their safety and their chances to be self-sufficient, the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services was recently awarded 50 Family Unification Program Housing Choice Vouchers by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Only 150 vouchers were awarded in Colorado and less than 2,000 nationwide.
By providing access to stable housing and supportive services, the Family Unification Program enables Boulder County to reunite children in foster care with their parents or to prevent children from entering the foster care system. Research consistently shows that children who are able to safely stay with their families have much better long-term outcomes than children who are removed from their homes.
FUP vouchers will be available for families whose inadequate housing is the primary factor in the separation or near separation from their children. Families and youths are permitted to rent housing from private landlords and generally pay 30 percent of their monthly income toward rent and utilities. County staff will refer eligible clients to the voucher program.
“We feel strongly that a lack of affordable housing is not a valid reason to separate children from their families,” said Frank Alexander, Director of the county’s Department of Housing and Human Services. “With these vouchers, we can ensure that families have a safe and affordable place to live and thereby remove one obstacle from parents who want to take care of their children but do not have the financial resources to do so. Providing short-term supportive services to at-risk families on the front end can make the difference for kids and families over the long term.”
According to the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, it costs the federal government approximately $56,892 annually per family to place children into foster care. Yet the cost to provide housing and supportive services to one family averages less than $14,000 annually. Through this investment in FUP to reunify families who are separated due to a lack of affordable housing options, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, known as HUD, will reunite nearly 3,500 children with their parents, thus saving $74 million in annual foster care expenditures.
Cost savings are also considerable for young people aging out of foster care. The average annual cost of a FUP voucher for young adults is $5,600 – a 10th of the estimated costs associated with undesirable outcomes such as homelessness, incarceration, and residential treatment.
“Boulder County is proud to be leading the way in providing a highly integrated, locally delivered housing and human services system and appreciates HUD’s recognition of this innovative approach to service delivery,” Alexander said.
Peeper covered in feces found in Porte Potty at spiritual festival
Jun 21st
Boulder police are investigating an incident that happened at the Hanuman Yoga Festival on Friday, June 17, near Boulder High School.
A female patron of the festival walked into a portable toilet and told police she noticed that something was moving inside the tank when she lifted the lid. She believed there might be a person inside the toilet. She left the portable toilet and asked a man who was standing nearby to go in and check.
The man told police that when he entered the toilet, he did see someone inside the tank, covered in a tarp. He, too, exited the portable toilet. A few minutes later, he heard the door lock from the inside. A festival security supervisor waited outside for several minutes and then saw a suspect emerge from the portable toilet. The supervisor tried to detain the suspect, but he ran away, covered in feces.
The suspect is described as a:
· White male
· About 20 years old
· Very tall, approximately 6’4” to 6’8”
· Thin build
· Short, dark hair
· Wearing dark gray sweatpants and no shirt or shoes
Witnesses say the suspect had several cuts on his back and legs. The suspect was also wearing leather bracelets on each wrist. At least one witness believes the suspect may use the name “Sky,” and told police that he may be a transient.
Boulder Creek Path underpass closures will impact Bike to Work Day routes
Jun 21st
The Boulder Creek multi-use path will be closed at three underpasses throughout Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 22. Detours are in place, with cones and signs posted at the sites to direct riders to alternate routes. Bicyclists are advised to be aware of wet conditions elsewhere on the path.
The Boulder Creek path is currently closed at the following underpasses:
Arapahoe Avenue and 13th Street;
South of Boulder High School; and
Valmont Road, east of 55th Street.
These underpass closures are due to water overflow from the creek.
There are also wet conditions, where water has come over the sidewalk but the path is not yet flooded, at the following underpasses:
· 30th Street, near Scott Carpenter Park;
· Broadway; and
· Folsom Street, near Taft Drive.
Bikers and all other users are advised to use caution while in these areas.
The city anticipates water levels in Boulder Creek to continue to rise as temperatures increase for the next several weeks. Stay tuned for other safety announcements including potential tubing bans.
For more information, visit www.boulderconezones.net. You can also follow Cone Zone Man on Twitter for the most up-to-date travel impacts.
