PRESS RELEASE: Douglas County Achieves Functional Zero for Veterans, Ensuring it is Rare and Brief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2024 

Layla Elena Said, Communications Specialist
Metro Denver Homeless Initiative
layla.said@mdhi.org

Rebecca Mayer, Interim Executive Director
Metro Denver Homeless Initiative
rebecca.mayer@mdhi.org

Wendy Manitta Holmes, APR,
Director, Communication and Public Affairs, Douglas County Government
Mobile: 303.880.7785 | Email: wholmes@douglas.co.us

DOUGLAS COUNTY ACHIEVES FUNCTIONAL ZERO FOR VETERANS,
ENSURING HOMELESSNESS IS RARE AND BRIEF

Douglas County has proven that homelessness is solvable through quality data, coordinated outreach, and regional collaboration. Together, Douglas County and the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) celebrate the County’s achievement of Functional Zero for Veteran homelessness, since joining the Built for Zero (BFZ) movement in April 2021.

“Our approach to homelessness is working in Douglas County,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. “We appreciate all our municipal, nonprofit, and faith-based partners and Sheriff Darren Weekly for working with us to achieve this outcome for our community’s heroes. Now, we have a pilot for using the Built for Zero framework across all populations.”

Functional Zero for Veterans represents a critical milestone, requiring sustained systems to prevent homelessness and address it promptly. This achievement does not imply that no one experiences homelessness; rather, it means that the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness is maintained within the community’s capacity to provide housing.

“Functional Zero isn’t about achieving a ‘finish line’ but about maintaining ongoing efforts to serve Veterans with dignity and timeliness,” said Sofia Vigil, Regional Coordination Manager with MDHI. “Douglas County has shown us that Veteran homelessness can be made rare and brief.”  

The cornerstone of this success was reaching the Quality By-Name Data standard in October 2023. By building and maintaining a comprehensive, monthly-updated list of every homeless Veteran in the community, Douglas County gained a powerful tool for tracking Veterans entering and exiting homelessness. This systematic approach ensures that everyone is included in the data.   

"This incredible accomplishment by Douglas County is the result of their active engagement and prioritization of this work for over two years," said Missy Mish, Homeless Section Chief for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. "Douglas County used grant funding to build a robust outreach team to identify and track Veterans through community-wide efforts. The VA is grateful for their collaboration and partnership in this life-saving work."  

Meanwhile, Douglas County’s HEART (Homeless Engagement Assistance and Resource Team) program brought personalized, street-level support. HEART navigators, paired with law enforcement, conducted regular outreach, building trust and guiding Veterans toward available resources.

“Today, we celebrate the success of our veterans. In the summer of 2023, a veteran was identified through a referral that HEART received. After a few short months of gathering documentation and meeting with the VA, he was approved for a housing voucher that paired rental assistance with ongoing case management and supportive services,” said Tiffany Marsitto, HEART supervisor. “It’s an honor and privilege to serve those who have served our country.” 

“Our HEART team is dedicated to compassionate policing, especially when it comes to supporting our homeless Veterans,” said Sheriff Darren Weekly. “These men and women served our country with honor, and now it’s our turn to serve them with respect and care. By addressing their unique needs, we’re making a real impact, offering them a path to stability and dignity.”

From January 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, 64% of Veterans experiencing homelessness were housed within 98 days of being identified. MDHI and Douglas County attribute this success to a system-wide commitment to continual improvement. Data review and coordinated service practices have reduced inflow, sped up housing placements, and created a sustainable model for other communities to follow.

“Douglas County’s achievement offers a powerful message to communities everywhere: homelessness is solvable,” said Sofia Vigil. “With aligned resources, committed partners, and a data-driven approach, other communities can follow this path.”

Built for Zero – and the framework to measure progress toward Functional Zero – is an initiative of nonprofit Community Solutions. Community Solutions, an independent, national organization, conducted a comprehensive review of policies and data spanning the past 1.5 years to verify that every Veteran experiencing homelessness in Douglas County has been accounted for and directed toward housing solutions. Douglas County is one of more than 100 communities nationwide committed to ending homelessness by working with Community Solutions Group on Built for Zero. 

Douglas County’s progress highlights MDHI’s vision to address homelessness throughout Metro Denver, proving that lasting change is possible with shared effort and clear goals. Douglas County is one of nine subregions working with MDHI to solve Veteran and eventually all homelessness. For more information, please visit mdhi.org.  

HEART is a partnership among the County, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement and community partners to connect those experiencing homelessness with resources. HEART is a program of the Douglas County Homeless Initiative.

---

MDHI is the Metro Denver Continuum of Care, the regional system that coordinates services and housing for people experiencing homelessness. This includes prevention/diversion, street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. MDHI works closely with each county in its continuum (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson) to build a homeless crisis response system that gets people back into housing as quickly as possible. Learn more at mdhi.org.

Supportive Housing Training Series

MDHI is partnering with CSH to deliver a series of eight virtual training courses. Each training course will be followed by an applied learning session which will facilitate practical discussion and real-world applications. All sessions will start at 10 a.m. MST. The Training Sessions will be 90 minutes, and the Applied Learning Sessions will be 60 minutes. The training sessions are capped at 300 participants and the applied learning sessions are capped at 100 participants. MDHI will send out registration links via e-mail in the weeks leading up to the training. Please register early to ensure your spot!

Registration Links

Future training will be posted the month before they start.

• September 11 - Housing First (Closed)

• September 18 - Housing First Applied Learning (Closed)

• October 09 - Harm Reduction Scenario-Based Training (Closed)

• October 16 - Harm Reduction Applied Learning (Closed)

• November 13 - The First Year of Tenancy - Supporting Tenants Training Registration Link

• November 20 - The First Year of Tenancy Applied Learning Registration Link

• December 11 - Housing Retention & Eviction Prevention Training Registration Link

• December 18 - Housing Retention & Eviction Prevention Applied Learning Registration Link

Feedback Needed by 10/28 for HUD’s Collaborative Funding Application

Thank you to everyone who provided input on our region's Collaborative Application for federal homelessness funding! We appreciate your support in strengthening this year's application to HUD. As part of this important community process, MDHI is posting the final version of the Collaborative Application and the Project Priority Listing. Please send final input to nofo@mdhi.org by the end of October 28, 2024. 

PRESS RELEASE: Metro Denver Homeless Initiative Announces New Executive Director

Jason Johnson to Serve as Next Executive Director

DENVER, COLORADO – October 21, 2024 – The board of directors of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) announced today that Jason Johnson has been selected to serve as the organization’s next Executive Director. Jason currently serves as the Executive Director of Vashon Household in King County, Washington.

The interview and selection process spanned several months and included input from community stakeholders, partners, and MDHI staff. “We are extremely grateful for the collaboration, support, and patience from our community partners and the MDHI team as we worked through this important process,” said Brendan Clark, board president. “Jason embodies the values, experience and passion that we were searching for in the next leader of MDHI, and we are so thrilled to welcome him back to Colorado to lead and advance the amazing work being done at MDHI and across the region to end homelessness.” 

Jason has served as the Executive Director of Vashon Household since May 2022. Previously, Jason spent a decade in the nonprofit sector managing regional housing programs for seniors, families and people living with terminal illness or permanent disabilities. Jason also brings 16+ years of leadership in the public sector as the former Director of the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department and a Planner with the City of Kent Housing and Human Services Division. Jason is a licensed social worker originally from Boulder, Colorado where he grew up in publicly funded affordable housing and whose family relied on many of the social safety net services he has spent his career advancing. Jason has lived in Seattle since 1997 and aside from his work, Jason enjoys travel, live music, recreational sports, and time outdoors with his dog Disco and husband Rob.

“We are incredibly excited for Jason to lead MDHI as we embark upon this next chapter for the organization. His experience leading in both the nonprofit and public sectors, history of fostering collaboration, commitment to equity, and lifelong dedication to serving our unhoused neighbors are just some of the many reasons we believe Jason is the right choice to lead MDHI.” Jason will begin this new position on December 16, 2024.

“On behalf of the board of MDHI, I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rebecca Mayer for serving as Interim Executive Director over this past year,” added Brendan. “Rebecca provided stability and leadership during a time of transition and ensured that MDHI continued to advance its mission as we searched for a new Executive Director. She went above and beyond what the board asked of her and will always be a valued member of the MDHI family. We wish her the best in her future endeavors and thank her for continuing her commitment to ending homelessness in our region.”

NOFO Survey for Continuum of Care Providers

HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) grant funding supports a broad array of interventions designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for human habitation, located in sheltering programs, or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness.  

The CoC Program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is a community process that requires year-round planning and coordination. MDHI is responsible for submitting the collaborative application to HUD on behalf of seven-county Metro Denver, which brings in nearly $30 million in funding to address homelessness each year.

It's that time of year to prepare our collaborative application for the NOFO. CoC Partners, we'd love to hear of the great work you're doing to assist us in completing the collaborative application. This purpose of this form is to gather information which will be leveraged in the NOFO Collaborative Application. Questions are optional and can be left blank, though we ask that you please answer any that pertain to your program(s). Please complete this form by 9/13/24. Thank you for your assistance!

HMIS Annual Refresher Training

We are pleased to announce the release of this year's Annual Refresher Training for all active end users of the Colorado Homeless Management Information System (COHMIS). This training is designed to reinforce the foundational concepts of COHMIS and address areas where HMIS Leads have observed data quality challenges over the past year.

In preparation for Annual Refresher Training, users will not be able to register for HMIS training until after the Annual Refresher Training completion date (Thursday, October 31). This will ensure that there are enough licenses in TalentLMS for each active HMIS user to complete the Annual Refresher Training.

All active end users are required to complete this training by the end of October. Please set aside time to ensure you fulfill this requirement within the designated time frame.

Thank you for your continued dedication to serving our community and for your commitment to maintaining the integrity of our data systems. If you have any questions or need assistance, please submit a ticket to your HMIS Lead agency.

Important Dates

Last day to register new staff for HMIS training: Friday, September 20
Last day to complete HMIS training: Wednesday, September 25

*Progress will be paused for any users who do not complete the HMIS training by this date. Users will be able to resume HMIS training after Thursday, October 31.

Annual Refresher Training Release Date: Tuesday, October 1
Annual Refresher Training Completion Deadline: Thursday, October 31

*HMIS active status will be at risk if the Annual Refresher Training is not completed by the deadline.

FAQs

1. How do I enroll in the Annual Refresher Training course?

   • Active HMIS end users will automatically be enrolled in the Annual Refresher Training once the course becomes available.

2. Do I need to complete the AnnualRefresher Training course if I just completed the HMIS Training course?

   • Yes, all active HMIS end users will be required to complete the course regardless of when you completed the HMIS training course.

3. Will the Annual Refresher Training deadlines impact my Coordinated Entry course?

   • No, there will be no changes to any progress with the Coordinated Entry course.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email the Help Desk at hmishelp@mdhi.org.

PRESS RELEASE: Annual Point-in-Time Count Shows An Increase of People Experiencing Homelessness in Denver Metro Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 14, 2024

Layla Elena Said
Communications Specialist
Metro Denver Homeless Initiative
layla.said@mdhi.org | 484-772-0559

Rebecca Mayer
Interim Executive Director
Metro Denver Homeless Initiative
rebecca.mayer@mdhi.org

DENVER, COLORADO – AUGUST 14, 2024 – The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) released its data for the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count today. The count, conducted in January each year, is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to capture the number of unduplicated individuals experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness on a single night. This year’s PIT count took place across Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties from sundown January 22, 2024, to sundown January 23, 2024.

The PIT is an annual snapshot of homelessness on a single night with numerous variables such as weather, count participation, volunteer engagement, and other factors which may impact the count from year to year. While this count can help us understand homelessness on a single night, MDHI and our partners are actively working on comprehensive, real-time data. The region was able to identify 9,977 individuals in the 2024 count, while the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) used by over 100 nonprofit and government agencies allows us to see that this number is closer to 30,000 throughout the year. A more comprehensive look at homelessness can be found in MDHI’s State of Homelessness 2023 Report.

Homelessness increased by 10% this year, driven primarily by a 12% rise in shelter usage. While fewer people are experiencing homelessness for the first time, the number of chronically homeless individuals rose by 16%. The number of homeless families has also grown significantly, from 2,101 to 3,136. While Point in Time data can fluctuate year to year due to methodological changes and varying conditions, it remains a valuable tool when considered alongside other data sources. Rebecca Mayer, Interim Executive Director at MDHI, noted, “Behind every data point lies the reality of individuals and families facing the hardship of homelessness. It's crucial to remember that our unhoused neighbors deserve the stability and security of a safe place to call home.”

The City of Denver stood up temporary shelters for newcomers beginning in December 2022. “Newcomers” refer to migrants using more inclusive language. On the day of the count, more than 4,300 newcomers were staying in the City of Denver shelters. Nearly 43,000 newcomers have been supported by Denver since 2022, with more than 12,000 people arriving in just the three months leading up to the 2024 PIT Count. To ensure access to the most accurate information of those experiencing homelessness on a single night, the newcomer population that stayed at the temporary migrant-only shelters are not included in the Metro Denver PIT report. 

The Point in Time would not be possible without our many partners and volunteers across the region who support this annual count and survey. Heidi M Grove, MA, serves as the Division Director of the Boulder County Department of Housing and leads their Point in Time efforts. She shared, “Point in Time is a snapshot into homelessness across the country. We are so grateful for the hard work that all our partners, providers, and volunteers put in to ensure we have the most accurate count possible as we know funding relies on these numbers.” Kate Skarbek, Senior Management Analyst with the City of Westminster, added, “We really appreciate the time and effort volunteers put into the Point in Time Count. The PIT helps us understand what it’s like to experience homelessness and how close it is to all of us.” 

For more information on the PIT count, 2024 data, and county-by-county breakdowns, please visit mdhi.org/pit. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

MDHI is the Metro Denver Continuum of Care, the regional system that coordinates services and housing for people experiencing homelessness. This includes prevention/diversion, street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. MDHI works closely with each county in its continuum (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson) to build a homeless crisis response system that gets people back into housing as quickly as possible. Learn more at mdhi.org.

Annual CoC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and FY 2025 Released

The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has officially posted the Annual CoC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and FY 2025 on Grants.gov. The submission deadline for the CoC Application and CoC Priority List is October 30th, 2024 at 8:00pm EST.

Timeline

• August 30 - Letters of Intent (New Applicants only)

• September 20 - Applications are due in e-snaps

• October 28 - Final Collaborative Application submit to HUD

Project Applicants

• The NOFO Grantee Webinar hosted on August 21 is available via slides or recording (Passcode: 3Ps!c0+=). 

• Returning project applicants may choose to import FY 2023 renewal project application responses; however, this must be requested during your registration of the Renewal Funding Opportunity in e-snaps and is only available if you submitted a project application in the FY 2023 CoC Program Competition. Imported responses must be carefully reviewed to ensure accuracy.

• Projects renewing for the first time, that were previously awarded prior to the FY 2023 CoC Program Competition must complete the entire renewal project application.

• New project applications must be completed in full and in accordance with the new project application components permitted in this year’s Competition.

Additional Guidance

The following additional guidance will be posted on the CoC Program Competition page of HUD’s website by the end of this month: 

• FY 2024 CoC Estimated ARD Reports

• Detailed Instructions

• CoC Application

• CoC Priority Listing

• Project Applications – all types

• Navigational Guides

• Accessing the Project Application

• New Project Application

• Renewal Project Application

• UFA Costs Project Application

• Planning Costs Project Application

• CoC Priority Listing

NOFO Application

Thank you to everyone who provided input on our region's Collaborative Application for federal homelessness funding! We appreciate your support in strengthening this year's application to HUD. As part of this important community process, MDHI is posting the final version of the Collaborative Application and the Project Priority Listing. Please send final input to nofo@mdhi.org by the end of October 28, 2024. 

Questions 

Questions regarding the FY 2024 CoC Program Competition process must be submitted to CoCNOFO@hud.gov.  

Questions related to e-snaps functionality (e.g., password lockout, access to user’s application account, updating Applicant Profile) must be submitted to e-snaps@hud.gov. You can also contact MDHI at nofa@mdhi.org.

New Continuum of Care (CoCBuilds) Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Office of Special Needs Assistance (SNAPS) has announced the opening of the CoCBuilds application process.

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds (CoCBuilds) NOFO will add new permanent supportive housing (PSH) units for individuals and families experiencing homelessness through new construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation. The CoCBuilds NOFO outlines additional CoC Program-eligible activities and costs that may be included in your application. Additionally, CoCs are encouraged to leverage funds provided for the construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of new PSH units with other funding sources to maximize the amount of housing that can be directed to meeting the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

A total of $175,000,000 is available under this NOFO. Of this amount, $65,000,000 is available only for CoCs that are located in states with populations of fewer than 2.5 million people. 

HUD Application Process

Project Applicants

• NOFO Grantee Webinar (recording available: Passcode: 3Ps!c0+=)

• Letter of Intent (due September 9)

• Request for Proposal (due October 23)

• CoCBuilds NOFO Scoring Tool

HUD Application

The application for the CoCBuilds NOFO is available through the CoCBuilds NOFO funding opportunity located at grants.gov. This is not an e-snaps-based application.

• Applications are to be completed by the organization that will administer the funds and must be sent to the CoC’s Collaborative Applicant for review and submission.

  • The application may include one or more subrecipients and we encourage collaborative efforts.

• The CoC’s Collaborative Applicant must submit the project application(s) through grants.gov.

• Number of applications permitted by CoC:

  • 1 application if there are no Tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities.

  • 2 applications if the CoC includes Tribes or TDHEs where one application must be specifically for new PSH units on Tribal reservation or trust land and one application from a non-Tribe or TDHE.

• Carefully review the CoCBuilds NOFO application and submission requirements.

Timeline

• August 21 - Grantee Meeting (recording available: Passcode: 3Ps!c0+=)

• August 27 - RFP Released 

• September 9 - Non-binding Letter of Intent Due

• October 23 - RFP Submissions Due 

  • Follow-up questions/Budget and program adjustments (if applicable)

    • MDHI may request additional information from grantees to make a funding decision. 

    • MDHI may ask applicants to make program or budget adjustments before a final funding decision.  

• November 13 - Notification to Applicants of Final Finding Recommendation 

• November 18 - Final Submission to HUD via Grants.gov (MDHI and Selected Agency)

• November 21 - HUD Submission Deadline for CoCBuilds

Questions

Submit questions to CoCBuilds@hud.gov. Responses will be provided during normal business hours Monday through Friday. Questions submitted on weekends and Federal holidays may take longer to receive responses.

You may also contact MDHI at nofa@mdhi.org.

Gender & Sexuality Learning Series

SESSION 1

HUD’s Equal Access and Gender Identity Rule Training with Abby Miller. 

This session covers HUD’s Equal Access Rule, as described in the Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity (Final Rule). It ensures that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have equal access to HUD's programs, which include shelters, benefits, services, and accommodations, and prohibits discrimination against individuals within the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Agencies that receive CoC funding are encouraged to attend. Key topics include:

• Overview of CoC Policy and HUD's Equal Access Rules

• Legal frameworks prohibiting discrimination

• Effective strategies to create a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free environment for all individuals interacting with CoC-funded programs.

Here is a link to Session 1. You will need the following passcode: +eBBcXV7.

SESSION 2

Gender & Sexuality Workshop with Syah B Consulting.

Engage in an in-depth exploration of gender and sexuality. Understand the distinction between biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. In reviewing these topics, we will encourage audience members to reflect upon their relationship to gender expectations and begin to expand their self-awareness. This self-awareness of our implicit biases will allow us to begin to explore basic empathy skills (that demonstrate allyship and support for expansive LGBTQ+ people), as well as give a better understanding of heterosexist and cissexist cultural norms that create unsustainable and hostile environments for LGBTQ+ people.

Here is a link to Session 2. You will need the following passcode: ^Qch7MDp.

SESSION 3

July 18 from 9-11 AM: Gender & Sexuality Workshop with Syah B Consulting.

Key topics of the two-part workshop include: 

• Understanding the distinction between biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.  

• Encouraging audience members to reflect upon their relationship to gender expectations and begin to expand self-awareness. This self-awareness of implicit biases will allow us to begin to explore basic empathy skills (that demonstrate allyship and support for expansive LGBTQ+ people) 

• Increasing understanding to heterosexist and cissexist cultural norms that create unsustainable and hostile environments for LGBTQ+ people 

Here is a link to Session 3. You will need the following passcode: B#EU#8e9.

Coordinated Entry Impact Report 2023

We are proud to release the latest Coordinated Entry Impact Report, highlighting the impressive housing outcomes of our region’s OneHome Coordinated Entry System (CES). The data in this report is from 7/1/22-6/30/23 and includes breakdowns for the total people housed, total households housed, and new households assessed for housing.

Our region was able to house at least 1,788 people and 1,443 households through Coordinated Entry while completing 1,559 new assessments. Due to incomplete household information for the Emergency Housing Voucher program, the number of people housed is likely an undercount.

OneHome is grateful to have strong partnerships with community agencies across Metro Denver that work hard to support and house people experiencing homelessness. Some of our partners serve as Access Points for people experiencing homelessness to connect with OneHome. Here, they are Assessed and can be supported by Case Management. Other agencies are Housing Providers, who submit vacancies and available resources to HMIS. Once a household is matched to housing, Housing Providers work with the household and other service providers in the community to engage and support these households. Thank you to all the providers who interact with our system as we work to ensure everyone has a safe, stable place to call home.

We also want to acknowledge Wells Fargo for donating $75,000 to support housing access and resources through Coordinated Entry for people experiencing homelessness in metro Denver. We sincerely thank you for this investment in our community.

OneHome is the Coordinated Entry System for the Metro Denver region. Coordinated Entry is a client-centered process that partners with service providers and community members to assess and identify the housing needs of people experiencing homelessness. Coordinated Entry matches individuals, youth, and families to the appropriate housing resources available while elevating client choice. Metro Denver’s Coordinated Entry System serves all people experiencing homelessness.

Now Hiring: Executive Director

Make a Difference Ending Homelessness in Metro Denver

The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) is seeking a passionate and experienced Executive Director to lead our organization in its ongoing mission to end homelessness in the seven-county Denver metro region.

About MDHI

MDHI is a non-profit leader with over 20 years of experience in tackling homelessness across Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties. We are a diverse and inclusive organization, fostering equity in everything we do.

The Opportunity

We seek a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as our Executive Director. In this pivotal role, you will:

• Lead the Charge: Develop and implement a clear strategy to end homelessness across the region.

• Build Partnerships: Foster collaboration with key stakeholders to increase housing options and support services.

• Make Data-Driven Decisions: Leverage data to address inequities, guide decision-making, allocate resources, and improve accountability.

• Foster Inclusive Leadership: Provide courageous leadership that incorporates the voices of those experiencing homelessness and upholds MDHI's commitment to ending homelessness.

• Manage the Organization: Oversee all administrative, financial, operational, and management activities of MDHI.

Why MDHI?

• Lead a Talented Team: Guide a growing team of 28 dedicated professionals tackling homelessness.

• Drive Innovation: Spearhead the advancement of systemic solutions to end homelessness in Metro Denver.

• Shape the Future: Collaborate with partners to establish a clear vision and goals for solving homelessness in the region.

• Remote Work Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom and focus of a remote-first work environment with the flexibility to thrive in a distributed setting.

• Growth and Impact: Be part of a dynamic organization making a tangible difference in people's lives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading organizations.

• Strong strategic planning and execution skills.

• Expertise in building and fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to lead using data-driven decision-making.

• Commitment to racial equity and social justice.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and fundraising skills.

• A passion for ending homelessness and a deep understanding of the issues.

• Must reside within the Denver Metro region or be willing to relocate

To Apply

Please visit mdhi.org to view the full job description and submit your resume and cover letter by August 11, 2024, to careers@mdhi.org.

Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Metro Denver!

MDHI Provides an Inclusive Experience Online

Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) now provides an inclusive online experience that enables website visitors to access barrier-free online content and services. As part of our diversity and inclusion strategy, website visitors can now access various accessibility and language support tools to customize their digital experience through Recite Me assistive technology. 

Being able to offer an inclusive experience is essential to support over 25% of the population who may encounter barriers when exploring our website due to having a disability, learning difficulty, visual impairment, or if they speak English as a second language. The Recite Me assistive toolbar on the MDHI website includes screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customizable styling options an on-demand live translation feature that boasts over 100 languages including 65 text-to-speech and styling options.

At MDHI, accessibility is extremely important to us. We are committed to ensuring all community members can access information and services in a way that best meets their individual needs. The internet can be an incredibly intimidating place for those with access barriers, and those lacking the tools they need to adequately understand or communicate are at a significant disadvantage.  

To explore our accessibility support tool, visit the MDHI website and click the Accessibility Icon located at the bottom right corner of the website. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to download anything to enable Recite Me?

A: No. Recite Me is cloud-based software so there is no need to install anything on your computer.

Q: How do I launch the Recite Me Toolbar?

A: To Launch the Recite Me Web accessibility toolbar you will need to click on the Recite Me button. This will then launch the toolbar, which will appear at the top of the page.

Q: How Do I Disable the Auto Read?

A: To disable the auto read you need to click on the button marked “Settings”. This will give you a list of 3 functions to choose from. You need to click on the bottom to the Right of the option marked “Autoplay” This will then disable auto-read.

Q: Does Recite Me work across different operating systems and mobile devices?

A: Yes. Our software works on multiple devices and operating systems including Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows devices.

Q: Can I save my Settings?

A: The Recite Me toolbar uses cookies to save user settings.

Q: How do I change the Language?

A: To change the language of the website that you are viewing you need to select the button marked “Languages”. This will then produce a drop-down list of all the languages that Recite offers. Find the language that you want from the list and press on it, the site will then be converted to that language.

Q: How do I create an MP3?

A: To create an MP3, first turn off the Autoplay option located within the settings button. Highlight the section of Text that you wish to create into an MP3. Once highlighted select the Download Audio button from the toolbar. You will then see a message telling you that your file is being created. Once created you will see the file appear ready at the bottom of the web page. You can now either listen to the file created or save it to a location of your choice.

Q: How do I Turn Recite Me Off?

A: To Close the Recite toolbar simply click on the icon marked “Close” to the right of the Toolbar.

Join Our Board! Apply by May 31, 2024

Join the work to end homelessness in Metro Denver! The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) is a nonprofit organization with over 20 years of leadership in addressing homelessness in the seven-county region. We are currently seeking applications for the MDHI Board. Participation in the board allows members a chance to be a key player in shaping the future of MDHI. Interested applicants should complete this brief application no later than Friday, May 31, 2024.

CO Statewide Coordinated Entry Training

This training contains high level information about Colorado’s Continuum’s of Care (CoC's), the statewide implementation of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), Coordinated Entry across CoC’s, and the Built for Zero initiative.

YHDP RFP for Youth Homelessness due May 28

Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) is excited to announce the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP) Funding, as part of a national initiative by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding opportunity aims to encourage creative and effective solutions to prevent and end youth homelessness in the Metro Denver region.

Since receiving $2.58 million in funding last September, our efforts, led by the Young Adult Leadership Committee (YALC), have been focused on ensuring that the mission and vision for these projects authentically represent the needs and aspirations of young people affected by homelessness. Our goal is clear: to build a brighter future where all youth thrive, supported by values of empathy, justice, and harmony.

We are looking for applicants who are deeply committed to youth empowerment, utilizing lived experiences to inform their practices, and eager to collaborate with the YALC and other partner organizations. This is not just a funding opportunity, it's a chance to be part of sustainable solutions and meaningful community engagement in ending youth homelessness. 

How to Apply: Detailed instructions and criteria for submissions can be found in the full RFP document here. Join us in this effort to improve the system for young people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in our community!

Registration Link for virtual RFP Information Session on May 6th at 12 PM MDT:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vfuCuqz0rHd1c-EKNBHFA77_3iNNiYSoj.

OneHome Program Active in HMIS

OneHome program is now active in HMIS!  The revisions and updates have been made in OneHome and all HMIS end users who have completed the new Coordinated Entry (CE) training will now have access to the OneHome program again. Thank you for your patience, as the sunsetting of the VISPDAT was a big lift to revise the system. 

For any OneHome partners who use HMIS that have not yet taken the new CE training, the CE courses are still available in Talent LMS. Please complete those courses and take the short quiz to regain your access to the OneHome program in HMIS.  If you have not yet been assigned the new training, please send a request to hmishelp@mdhi.org.

If you have any issues with the new assessments or the OneHome program in HMIS, please reach out to HMIS Help at hmishelp@mdhi.org.

OneHome Coordinated Entry Office Hours

This is an optional office hour and is a great way to get any questions you may have answered by the OneHome team. Find the meeting link on our calendar.

Give Your Input: Collective Impact Model

The purpose of this plan is to provide an overview of the priorities of Metro Denver Homeless Initiative as we collaborate regionally to prevent and end homelessness. Specifically, in identifying the Core Pillars and Foundations as we strive to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. View the model here and give your feedback by February 29, 2024.

Register to Attend the Stakeholder Meeting or Recognize a Colleague

Please join us on for our semi-annual Stakeholder Meeting on February 23, 2024 from 9-11 AM via Zoom.

MDHI is proud to host our next Stakeholder Meeting on February 23, 2024. The majority of this meeting will be dedicated to membership business including:

1. Celebrations and Partner Recognition

2. State of Homelessness Report Overview

3. Data Dashboard Preview

4. Built for Zero Updates

5. A Collective Approach to Solving Homelessness

6. MDHI Membership and Committees

Registration is required. Please note, while all are welcome, this meeting is intended for CoC members and organizations. The agenda above is provided to help guide agencies on who might be best suited to attend. The meeting will be recorded and posted on MDHI’s YouTube to ensure access.

To register for the meeting and receive the Zoom link to attend, please fill out this form: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrf-2hrjkjHNNXG86HSINGHJkd898dZPxC. If you have any questions, please contact info@mdhi.org.

CoC Partner Recognition

We'd like to kick off our February Stakeholder Meeting with a celebration of the great work our partners are doing to solve homelessness in Metro Denver. Please help us recognize colleagues who are doing amazing things.  Please submit your nominations no later than Friday, February 16 through https://forms.office.com/r/Wrq7W4VJxw.

HUD Announces Annual NOFO Awards, One New Project Funded

On January 29, HUD announced $3.2 billion in FY 2023 Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition Awards to CoC grant recipients in approximately 7,000 local homeless housing and service programs across the U.S. and its territories. The Metro Denver Continuum of Care received $32,836,361. These CoC grants provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, states, and local governments to quickly rehouse individuals and families experiencing homelessness and provide support while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness. Our community was awarded the following funding:

• Brookview - Renewal 2023 - $835,177

• CCH Families PSH (Formerly Families Transition Grant) - $5,385,223

• CCH MDCHC PSH Project - $8,690,668

• Coordinated Entry Metro Denver FY2023 - $555,905

• Cornerstone 2023 - $139,291

• DOH Consolidated PSH MDHI FY2022 - $8,081,007

• FY2023 Back Home RRH - $260,598

• FY2023 Bedrock - $634,880

• FY2023 Boulder County CoC Rapid Rehousing Program - $850,270

• FY2023 Spectrum CoC $929,794

• HAWCCO0099L8T032209 - $287,223

• HMIS Expansion FY23 - $125,000 HMIS

• Metro Denver Renewal FY2023 - $754,810

• Housing is Healthcare - $955,985

• Irving Street Women's Residence - $286,693

• JuanDiegoCO0094L8T032213 - $179,070

• Marshall Street Landing - $530,528

• Planning_FY23 - $1,491,902

• Providence at the Heights - $109,998

• PSH Consolidated Project FY2023 - $669,013

• Ruth Goebel House - $104,238

• Youth Transitions Project CoC $979,088

For more information, go to:

• HUD Press Release

• CoC Competition Awards Information