Unsheltered homelessness down, according to July snapshot
Fewer people may be experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Boulder, according to the city’s latest point-in-time count released this month.
“Over the last two years, we have seen a reduction in the number of individuals who are unsheltered and living outside,” said Kurt Firnhaber, director of Housing and Human Services, in a press release. “While we know that the number of individuals living unsheltered in our city remains a significant concern, we want to celebrate the success we’ve seen in recent years.”
The city conducts these counts in both January and July, and typically sees higher numbers in the summer. The point-in-time count reflects a snapshot of people experiencing homelessness on a specific day, which can be impacted by factors like weather and participation. According to the city, “results from the count do not accurately reflect the actual number of people living unhoused.”
There were 122 people counted this July, compared with 171 in July 2023. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed had been homeless for a year or more, while 32% were newly homeless.
Only 10 of the 78 people surveyed said they occasionally stayed at the shelter. The most commonly cited reasons for not staying at the shelter were safety and cleanliness concerns, rules and a preference for staying outside.
In other news this week, Boulder County plans $4M in cuts to social services.
Superior Home Rule Charter won’t appear on ballot
The Town of Superior will hold a special election Dec. 10 on the adoption of the proposed home rule charter. It will no longer appear on the November general election ballot due to “a clerical error.”
The town’s home rule commission, elected by voters in 2023, drafted the charter over the past year. Home rule charters can grant more local control and flexibility over things like zoning and elections.
Approval for the charter is all-or-nothing, but the charter could be amended in future elections. Read the charter and find more information here.
Higher pay for BVSD subs
After cuts to substitute teacher pay at Boulder Valley School District prompted criticism and concern, the district has promised to raise its rate, though it’s not clear yet how much.
The bump will be funded by unallocated money from the previous year’s budget, and the rate will be announced in coming weeks, superintendent Rob Anderson said in a Sept. 24 board meeting. More ongoing funding will need to be found in the future, he said.
“I know that our substitutes don’t feel valued, and I know that’s directly aligned with pay,” he said.
Subs made $150 per day last school year, but the district announced in July that subs this school year would make $125. For an eight-hour day, that amounts to $15.63 an hour.
Retired teachers, who made a little more at $170 in the 2023-24 school year, would have also seen a $25 cut.
The district has more than a thousand subs in its system, Anderson said.
“Even $145 a day is not a living wage in Boulder,” said retired teacher Tamara Sotillo. “For those of us with years of experience, a passion for the work and expertise, the message is clear. You drop the sub pay two years in a row, we’re not a priority.”
Speakers in the public hearing warned that BVSD would have trouble retaining and filling substitute teacher positions without a raise in pay.
“Having a shortage of subs means that teachers have a reduced capacity to meet needs — their own and the needs of their students,” said parent and sub Annette Mueller.