Contact: Kimberly Smith Douglas County Government Phone: 303.660.7347 Fax: 303.688.1293 ksmith@douglas.co.us 100 Third St. Castle Rock, CO  80104 www.douglas.co.us

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
August 29, 2007

Homelessness in Douglas County Featured Topic at Sept. 25 Community Meeting

Twelve percent of Douglas County families are having trouble getting by

Douglas County, Colo… The Douglas County Homeless Coalition (DCHC) is sponsoring a continental breakfast on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. to discuss the growing issue of homelessness in Douglas County and to introduce the Hand Up Program to prevent homelessness at the Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Dr. in Castle Rock. 

Homelessness is an issue in Douglas County and the DCHC is inviting Douglas County residents, service providers, community leaders, non-profit and faith-based organization representatives and any other interested parties to take part in this discussion and help plan for solutions.

“The face of homelessness can look different depending on many factors,” said Commissioner Melanie Worley.  “In Douglas County, you may be living on a friend’s couch, or staying in a relatives’ basement.  Either way you are having a difficult time affording a place perhaps due to the loss of a job or some other issue.  The County recognizes these difficulties and that is why the Hand Up Program is being introduced.”

The Hand Up Program would allow citizens to help themselves as they work for independence, either by attending a foreclosure education program, taking a first-time homeowner’s class, or attending Arapahoe Douglas Works job training.  The Hand Up Program helps coordinate the different services and programs offered so participants can get back on their feet.

Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien reported, “Southern Colorado and Denver had the largest percentage of struggling families, but even in affluent Douglas County, 12 percent of the families were found to be making less than a self-sufficient income.”

A recent study conducted by the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute states that one in five Colorado families are barely getting by, often going without health care and other necessities.

An RSVP is requested by Friday, Sept. 14 to 303.688.4825 ext. 5380. For more information or questions, please contact any of the following:  Valerie Robson, manager of Adult Services for Douglas County, at 303.688.4825 ext. 5363; Suzanne Greene of the Douglas Elbert Task Force at 303.688.1114; or Jennifer Eby, Community Development Block Program, at 303.660.7460 ext. 4355.

The Douglas County Homeless Coalition is comprised of the following agencies:  Douglas County Human Services, Douglas County Community Development, Douglas County Housing Partnership, Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health, Douglas Elbert Task Force, Parker Task Force, Douglas County School District, Air Academy Federal Credit Union, Mile High United Way, Arapahoe Douglas Works, Tri-County Health Department, and The Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center.

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