More vouchers will soon be available to allow the local homeless access to stable, permanent housing.
The expansion of vouchers was approved last week by the Longmont Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and will be on Tuesday’s city council agenda. City councilors serve as Longmont Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Last year, the city of Longmont earmarked $215,000 for housing vouchers to pay for apartment leases. The amount this year will go up to $271,003 and will be administered through the Longmont Housing Authority, according to a city staff report to councilors.
At least 15 units will be funded, with up to seven units at Briarwood Apartments and leases with private property owners, the report states.
Funding will cover rental assistance — fair market rents established by Housing and Urban Development — administrative fees and unit turnover expenses.
The Longmont voucher program is one strategy adopted by the Homeless Solutions for Boulder County — or HSBC.
The HSBC’s Housing Exits Team has been working to get additional housing for adults experiencing homeless and who have been screened through the county-wide Coordinated Entry program. Applicants must also work on a plan for permanent housing, according to a city staff report.
The Housing Exits Team is composed of representatives from local governments, housing authorities and providers. The housing team has helped add more than 250 units for the homeless through acquisition, new construction, and vouchers for rental assistance, the staff report states.
