To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Update: Douglas County Homeless Initiative Public Awareness Campaign
Body
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Discussion
Council is aware of the work of the Douglas County Homeless Initiative and its approach to addressing homelessness using “four Cs:” compassion, code enforcement, community services and communications.
With regard to the final C, communications, a public awareness campaign is in development to provide education to area residents on how they can safely help on this issue, among additional information.
The campaign is expected to include uniform signage throughout the County that encourages people to donate to entities that support those experiencing homelessness rather than give money to panhandlers. The signs’ information will also point to how to contact the Homeless Engagement, Assistance & Resource Teams (HEART) that will soon be active Countywide to respond to calls regarding homelessness and provide support to unhoused individuals.
A team that includes Town staff members is collaborating on the signs’ design. Staff will also be working to determine the most appropriate locations within Castle Rock to post the signs, which may include interchanges, trailheads and certain shopping areas where panhandling is known to occur.
The purpose of this item is to update Council on this effort, receive any feedback Council has on this item and answer questions.
Staff plans to continue working with the Countywide team to finalize the signs’ design/verbiage and to determine the best places within Castle Rock to place signs unless Council directs otherwise.