By David Heitz / NewsBreak Denver
(Denver, Colo.) A Denver City Council committee will consider next week leasing the Comfort Inn at 4685 Quebec St. for homeless families.
The Finance and Governance Committee will consider a contract Tuesday with Quebec Hospitality LLC doing business as Comfort Inn for $5.8 million for one year. The cost is based on a room rate of $110 per night. The hotel contains 138 rooms. The contract includes an option to buy the hotel.
The site would be a low-barrier shelter where residents would be referred from other agencies. The property could be used for both short-term and long-term shelter. Case managers would connect clients to permanent housing.
“The City and County of Denver has seen an increased need for family shelter over the past year,” according to a presentation by city staff to the committee. “By leveraging an entire site, we are better suited to have one location for families that will encompass supportive services on site.”
Previously services supporting homeless families operated at scattered sites, with different organizations working independently. As a result, families received inconsistent levels of support.
Families must meet guidelines
Families must meet the federal definition of homeless to be eligible. “Those who do not meet the criteria will be provided with the appropriate resource for their needs,” according to the presentation. “HOST makes every effort to ensure there is shelter available for those in need. If all available shelter units are full, families will be placed on a waitlist. Any waitlist would incorporate prioritization criteria to fill vacant units.”
Currently family homeless shelters in Denver include Family Promise of Greater Denver, 8 units; The Salvation Army, Lambuth Family Center, 20 units; Volunteers of America, Family Motel, 30 units; Contract motel, night-by-night units as needed.
Other resources serving families include Catholic Charities Denver, Samaritan House (shelter), Joshua Station (transitional), Family Homestead (transitional), Denver Rescue Mission (transitional) and Warren Village (transitional).
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