Boulder’s new plan to tackle homelessness aims to eliminate unsheltered nights by 2028 through a rapid rehousing initiative.
Why it matters: If successful, the effort — which would cost $11 million annually until 2029 when it would increase to $13 million —could transform Boulder’s approach to homelessness.
- Yes, but: It risks overwhelming the city’s already strained budget.
Driving the news: City Council reviewed the proposed update to its 2017 homelessness strategy last week, developed with Houston-based Clutch Consulting.
- The two main goals of the proposed plan are to eliminate and prevent instances of chronic homelessness and have no people sleeping on the streets or in parks.
By the numbers: Boulder’s July point-in-time count, an estimate of the number of people experiencing homelessness at a specific time, totaled 140 unhoused people, up from 122 in 2024 but below 171 in 2023.
- 72% reported experiencing chronic homelessness, defined as one year or longer.
- Boulder estimates it must help 1,250 people annually to meet its goals.
Between the lines: Clutch’s Mandy Chapman Semple said Boulder is “stuck” — current strategies are preventing increases but not reducing homelessness…