The city and county of denver department of public health and environment and the denver public safety youth programs office propose to implement the denver supportive housing models for healthy youth…

The city and county of denver department of public health and environment and the denver public safety youth programs office propose to implement the denver supportive housing models for healthy youth planning process for building local continuums of care that seek to prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and improve youth health, educational, and occupational outcomes. In partnership with the school of public affairs at the university of colorado denver, project activities include conducting research, convening, planning and ultimately proposing several models of supportive, neighborhood-based youth and family housing. Expected outcomes include further development of a youth housing continuum of care model that serves children and youth in their communities, provides culturally and trauma responsive care, and adheres to the willingness of youth to seek housing and care in ways they suggest will best serve their needs in hyperlocal environments. The planning process and convenings will follow an iterative, trauma responsive, asset-based methodology in line with evidence-based practices supported in research and practice. The primary goal of the planning process is to identify housing for youth and their families in neighborhood-based locations with resources and essential services. Housing, especially affordable, accessible, and safe places, near to a youths current location are simply not available currently or unknown to municipal and nonprofit agencies. More specifically, one key deliverable of this planning grant will be an interactive youth housing: safety perceptions and resources tool that will geolocate resources, services, and agencies within census tracks / neighborhoods to model actual distances youth would need to travel to safe and supportive housing. The aim of introducing this map is to develop sheltering capacity within neighborhoods and school catchments that allow youth to remain in environments where they have protective factors, caring adults, or other assets to increase their likelihood of success and reduce the likelihood that they will be arrested, abused, trafficked, or homeless. Secondary goals of this planning process include identifying models for effectively managing, maintaining, and creating appropriate oversight of various forms of micro-housing solutions; convening partners to build buy-in and momentum in addressing youth homelessness; and, engaging youth and families to inform all goals in this process.