Homeless Navigation Program
Homelessness is a complex problem that goes beyond just not having a place to live. It is most often intrinsically tied to factors such as financial barriers, a shortage of affordable housing, mental health issues, and family conflicts. People who are homeless often have faced severe trauma, and experiencing homelessness itself is traumatizing. The combination of all of these circumstances can make it extremely difficult for individuals to navigate into secure and permanent housing. Helping homeless individuals means understanding these challenges and finding solutions that address both their immediate needs and the underlying systemic issues that may be causing and perpetuating their homelessness.
In 2020, the City of Wheat Ridge launched the Homeless Navigation Program to address the issue of rising rates of homelessness in the area. The Program joined the larger Jefferson County Homeless Navigation Collaborative, an initiative that brings together Homeless Navigators from municipalities in Jefferson County. This county-wide collaborative effort supports a cohesive and effective approach to coordinating care for those experiencing homelessness.
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Homeless Navigator
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A new county-wide homeless navigation model was launched in 2020, comprised of six municipal and county-based housing navigators who work directly with persons experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. The shared navigator for the cities of Wheat Ridge, Golden and Edgewater began in December 2020.The Homeless Navigator's role is to assist those experiencing a housing crisis, find stable housing and obtain the services and resources needed to maintain that housing. They work in partnership with local business communities, constituents, metro-area non-profit providers and government agencies serving the cities of Golden, Edgewater, and Wheat Ridge. While the Homeless Navigator isn’t able to increase available housing resources, they will help people experiencing homelessness identify solutions to complex health and housing challenges and support those who are seeking a path out of homelessness. However, this is not an emergency, on-call position.
For individuals who are at-risk, already experiencing homelessness or looking for resources and wanting to work towards stable housing, the Homeless Navigator can provide support and assistance.
Who's Listening
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Housing Navigator
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Homeless Navigator
FAQs
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Legal Rights
- Why can’t Wheat Ridge Police Department arrest people panhandling on medians? It is dangerous?
- Why isn’t the area near I-70 and Kipling off limits to panhandling and camping?
- Why do I see tents and people experiencing homelessness on private property even after reporting it to Wheat Ridge Police?
- Can’t Wheat Ridge Police keep people from panhandling or standing around on sidewalks around the City?
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Homeless Navigator
- I have encountered an individual who is experiencing homelessness and asking for resources, should I call the Homeless Navigator?
- Should I refer everyone I encounter that is experiencing homelessness to the Homeless Navigator?
- I have encountered an individual who is experiencing homelessness and asking for resources, can I call the Homeless Navigator in that moment to come and meet with the client?
- I have been seeing camps pop up in a certain area, would the Homeless Navigator be able to help remove the camps?
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What do I do if...
- I have seen an individual experiencing homelessness in my neighborhood or camping in the parks, do you have a resource list I could give to individuals experiencing homelessness?
- I have been seeing some individuals asking for money or food on street corners, is it better to give food or gift cards rather than cash?
- We are experiencing inclement weather and I have seen an individual who is outside and not prepared for the weather, is there a shelter they could go to?
