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July 15, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
EnglewoodHerald.net
VOLUME 101 | ISSUE 22
Low-cost internet available for those in need FCC, Starry Inc. offer affordable programs across metro Denver BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
In a September 2020 file photo, a man dismantles a canopy during a sweep of a homeless camp along the South Platte River. PHOTO BY DAVID GILBERT
Report lays out plan to address homelessness Affordable housing, connection to services crucial, task force says BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Many groups are already working hard to address homelessness in Littleton, Englewood and Sheridan, but coordinating and expanding their services could go a long way toward addressing the complicated task of lifting people up, according to a new report. The Tri-Cities Homelessness Policy Group (TCHPG), a task force composed of numerous care providers and public officials from the three neighboring communities, presented an “action plan” to Littleton City Council on July 6, marking a big step in the group’s
years of study and planning around homelessness. The non-binding plan offers a laundry list of ideas to address homelessness, with an estimated total cost of $705,000, with the intent to divvy up costs between the three cities and numerous state and local agencies and nonprofits. The plan cites interviews with dozens of local people including public officials and nonprofit leaders. Interviewees said some elements of local response to homelessness are already working well, including co-responder programs that send clinicians along with local police to assist people experiencing homelessness, food distribution networks, public school outreach programs, and the growing level of coordination between local agencies. Interviewees also expressed concerns, such as: • A lack of funding to step up outreach.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
• A sense that existing services may be underutilized because people in need have barriers to accessing them. • A fear that the level of care needed by some severely mentally ill or addicted people may exceed the capacity of local agencies. • And a concern that offering too friendly and effective of services to the homeless may make the area a magnet for more people from around the region. Interviewees helped form a set of goals: • Increasing coordination among local agencies. • Identifying and empowering a single leadership group. • Establishing a central access point to obtain services. • Addressing the mental health needs of people experiencing homelessness. SEE HOMELESS, P20
A strong, reliable internet signal may be more important than ever amid the coronavirus pandemic, but internet service isn’t a sure thing for every household. The federal agency that regulates communication by radio, television, satellite and cable is offering a program that provides a temporary discount on monthly internet bills for low-income households that qualify. And in some parts of Englewood, Denver and Aurora, a company called Starry Inc. is providing lowcost internet service without the credit checks or complex eligibility criteria required by other internet providers, the company says. Here’s information about how to take advantage of the two programs. Emergency Broadband Benefit The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, offers the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program — a discount on monthly internet bills. If your household is eligible, you can receive: • Up to a $50 per month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals; • Up to a $75 per month discount SEE INTERNET, P31
FREE RANGE THERAPY How a horse and a trail can be good for the soul
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