More Than $16.6 Million Invested by City of Pueblo Since 2021 for Housing, Homelessness and...

PUEBLO-The City of Pueblo has committed $16,689,681 to housing development, infrastructure investment and homeless outreach assistance since 2021. Many residents and community partners questioned where the City of Pueblo's resources were to address unhoused outreach and support during the September 3-5 clean up located between the 8th Street and 4th Street bridges along Fountain Creek.

"The reality is that time and time again the City has provided resources to the unhoused population through several different avenues in the last few years through direct and indirect funding sources," said Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham. "At what point do we as citizens start asking for civic accountability? We can only help the individuals who want the help, and we will continue to do so."

The City of Pueblo has committed $8,646,017 from 2022 to 2024 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. These funds include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Grant, Housing Rehabilitation Loans and Housing Development Loan Funds (HDLF). This funding assists with the housing rehab program, the HOME development loan fund, affordable housing and other grant programs to improve housing infrastructure in Pueblo.

These HUD grants are federal grants received by the City of Pueblo, which are appropriated on an annual basis to assist with projects like home ownership, eviction diversion and addressing infrastructure needs in low-income neighborhoods. The $8.6 million in funding allocated in the last three years has included the $400,000 allocation of the Pueblo Rescue Mission building for the "Porchlight" campus which allows for emergency sheltering of an additional 100 beds, comprehensive services like legal aid, mental healthcare and wrap around services to assist the unhoused community.

In addition to HUD grants received annually, over the last three years the City of Pueblo has allocated $4,395,654 to non-departmental expenditures which include the nonprofits in the community. Nonprofit organizations can submit a budget request to the City of Pueblo during the summer of the current fiscal year to be considered for the following year. City Council approves and adopts the City budget in November on an annual basis.

Specific housing and homeless projects have been funded by the City of Pueblo through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) since 2021 with the $36 million received by the City by the federal government. Of the $36 million in ARPA allocations $8,043,664 in funding can be broken into various categories which include emergency support funding, support services, housing projects, infrastructure and development.

Emergency funding through ARPA allocations totaled $919,845. Allocations included in the emergency funding went to Crazy Faith Street Ministry for $112,600 in 2023 to assist during emergency declarations issued by the Mayor's Office and the Pueblo Rescue Mission had reached its 90-bed shelter and emergency overflow capacity. Colorado Legal Services received $280,694 for eviction prevention and diversion services. Posada received emergency funds for displaced families from an emergency sewer line repair at Skyview Apartments totaling $23,588. Additionally, Posada received $395,000 for 4-plex accommodations related to COVID-19 to assist with proper social distancing adherence during the pandemic. Pueblo Rescue Mission received operating support for $107,963.

Support services for residents and the City's unhoused population funded by ARPA dollars totaled $2,313,819. These funding allocations help with support services for mental health, addiction treatment, overall care of individuals and paid work for the unhoused community of Pueblo.

In the $2,313,819 allocated, include the following ARPA agreements with Pueblo nonprofits. Catholic Charities of Southern Colorado received $200,000 for their WORKS program for support with homeless trash clean up coordinated with the Pueblo Parks and Recreation Team up to Clean Up program. Crossroads received $750,000 for the construction of their new facility in Pueblo West. Pueblo Rescue Mission, homeless community clean up or HOPE project for $38,819. Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen received hunger relief assistance of $210,000. Friendly Harbor received $75,000 for their peer support specialist program. Pueblo Cooperative Care received $40,000 for the Mobile Showers Program. Colorado Health Network- Access Point Pueblo received $25,000 to assist with syringe disposal and outreach. Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association (SCHRA)received $10,000 to support cold weather item distribution to unhoused individuals. SCHRA also received $975,000 for the construction and support of the Bessemer Wellness Center.

"While I was on City Council, one of our top priorities was to address the issues of the unhoused," said Mayor Graham. "We allocated a tremendous amount of emergency funds to different non-profits to help with winter support shelter options."

Pueblo City Council also approved $600,000 in ARPA funds to United Way of Pueblo County for the LEAD center which assists Pueblo nonprofit organizations, many of whom serve the unhoused residents of the community. United Way has been a key partner with Pueblo Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) and regularly awards community grants to fellow Pueblo nonprofits who serve the unhoused or individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

Housing projects and development infrastructure investment totaled $4.2 million from ARPA allocations. Habitat for Humanity received $300,000 for the construction and rehab of a single-family home. NeighborWorks of Southern Colorado also received $900,000 for water and sewer infrastructure development for the new west side community neighborhood project, Pikes Peak Park with mixed-income community building with over 600 housing units for affordable homeownership. The City of Pueblo also committed $3 million in funding for wastewater infrastructure to assist with the build out of the Wildhorse Extension Project, supporting future development.

The $16.6 million invested since 2021 throughout the community serves for long-term housing development, emergency housing assistance and addresses current needs for individuals experiencing homelessness.

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