The Aurora City Council has approved plans for the Aurora Regional Navigation Campus, a 13-acre homeless shelter set to open in early 2025. The campus will consolidate services for homeless individuals, offering transitional housing, employment services, medical care, addiction counseling, and more. The facility will have three tiers, with the highest tier providing private rooms for residents. The council will oversee the operation of the campus, with a focus on measuring success by employment and self-sufficiency. Funding for the project, totaling nearly $40 million, has come from various sources including the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, HUD, and ARPA funds. While some council members expressed concerns about the cost, others see the campus as a necessary solution to help homeless individuals transition into stable housing and employment. Mayor Mike Coffman emphasized a ‘tough love’ approach to address homelessness, focusing on employment as a measure of success. The plan for the navigation campus differs from Denver’s housing-first approach, with an emphasis on work and participation in programs. The goal is to provide a supportive environment that encourages self-sufficiency and empowers residents to improve their circumstances. The campus is designed to be a comprehensive resource for homeless individuals in Aurora.
Source
Photo credit denvergazette.com
Aurora City Council Advances Homeless Shelter Proposal | Breaking News
