Arvada Community Speaks Out Against Proposed Homeless Shelter Plans: Concerns Grow Over Transparency, Accountability, and Community Impact

Nov 5, 2024

7 min read

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At a recent Arvada City Council meeting, the debate surrounding the proposed homeless shelter in Adams County reached a boiling point. Several residents from Arlington Meadows voiced strong objections to the city's plans. Despite claims of "no plan" for the facility, it has become increasingly clear that the city has been moving forward with a shelter strategy, one that many community members feel has been developed behind closed doors, without sufficient public input or engagement.

A Clear Plan Under the Surface

For months, city officials have stated that there is "no plan" for the proposed homeless shelter. However, a series of emails and meeting records tell a different story. Correspondence between former City Manager Gillis, Council member Lisa Feret, and other members of the City Council reveals a deliberate effort to secure funding and resources for the shelter. These records, including those from a February 6 meeting, show that the city intends to use grant money and taxpayer funds to establish a shelter in Adams County. This directly contradicts public statements made by council members, leaving residents feeling misled and concerned about the lack of transparency in the process.

“This proves there is an existing plan, yet our city representatives mislead us, hoping we’ll stop our opposition.” - Karen DeAguero

The City’s Response: Outsourcing Accountability

In response to growing opposition, the City Council has announced plans to hire a third-party consultant to finalize the Homelessness Action Strategy and address the challenges of opening the proposed shelter. While this may seem like a reasonable step, residents fear that the city is attempting to deflect negative press and sidestep accountability.

By outsourcing the planning and decision-making process to an outside firm, the City Council may effectively remove itself from direct responsibility for the proposal. Residents are concerned that the consultant's recommendations will reflect the city’s existing agenda, not the true needs of the community.

“Hiring a third-party consulting group is a tactic to deflect negative press and push your agenda while avoiding accountability. By hiring a consulting firm, the City Council is creating a scenario where our objections and concerns with consultant proposals will fall on deaf ears while the city will deny culpability, effectively eliminating any responsibility of the council.” - Karen DeAguero

Concerns Over Community Survey Transparency

At the same meeting, concerns were raised about the recent community survey conducted by the city. A resident pointed out that the survey, which was supposed to close on October 31st, remained open as of 5:46 PM that day. The survey, conducted by Probolsky Research, was intended to gauge community opinion on various issues, including the proposed homeless shelter. The fact that the survey remained open beyond its scheduled end date raised questions about the integrity of the data collected and the transparency of the process.

“The fact that [the City Council] didn’t [close the survey], calls into question their processes and procedures, which could lead to questions regarding the validity of the data collected.” - Jettie Krantz

The speaker further noted that only 1,200 people responded to the 2023 survey, less than 1% of Arvada’s then population of 121,414. While some results showed support for partnerships with nonprofits and a daytime center for unhoused individuals, the survey design left much to be desired. There was not enough opportunity for residents to voice their opinions on specific proposals like the homeless shelter.

“The survey’s design itself left much to be desired in terms of collecting feedback. By limiting open-text responses to the beginning, it’s unclear whether dissatisfaction with homelessness means residents are in favor of building a shelter or if they are opposed to it. Without open-text fields at the end of each section or at the conclusion of the survey, much of the feedback is open to interpretation, which complicates understanding public opinion accurately.” - Jettie Krantz

December 7th Study Session: No Public Input and Lack of Dialogue

The upcoming study session on December 7th, originally presented to Arlington Meadows residents as an opportunity for open dialogue, has now been converted into a Zoom meeting with no public comment. This change has disappointed many residents who were hoping for genuine interaction with city leaders. Instead of a collaborative approach, the meeting has become a platform for council members to speak on behalf of the community, with only their voices being heard.

“This session was originally presented to Arlington Meadows as an opportunity to have a seat at the table and work together. However, it has been changed to Zoom with no public comment. Instead of genuine dialogue, we’re left to observe as council members speak on our behalf with only council voices. This single perspective does little to convey genuine representation.” - Tiffany Munoz

In a November 3rd email, Council member Lisa Feret stated that the council had not been presented with alternative options for the Early College of Arvada (ECA) property. This is despite the fact that Arlington Meadows residents have proposed multiple alternative uses for the ECA site, including at the October 7th meeting. This lack of acknowledgment further suggests that council members may not be fully considering community input.

Safety, Resources, and the Misuse of Taxpayer Dollars

A major concern raised by residents is the potential misuse of taxpayer dollars. Arvada residents argue that Adams County, where the shelter is being proposed, lacks the infrastructure and resources to support a homeless shelter, including medical facilities and adequate first responder support.

During an October 25 meeting, Shawna Ambrose, a representative of the City Council, reiterated the city’s plan to move forward with the shelter, citing that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office would handle any issues arising from the shelter’s operation. However, residents pointed out a critical flaw: jurisdictional boundaries. Under these boundaries, Arvada Police, not the Sheriff’s Office, would be responsible for responding to incidents in the city. This oversight raises serious questions about the feasibility of the plan.

“This misuse of millions of taxpayer dollars in a region that doesn’t even have medical care facilities or adequate first responders is abhorrent.” - Karen DeAguero

Financial Risks and Neighborhood Impact

One of the most pressing concerns raised by residents is the potential economic impact of relocating visible homelessness from Olde Town to Arlington Meadows. Studies suggest this could lead to a 12% decrease in property values, along with anticipated tax increases of 30-50% annually. Homeowners also fear rising insurance premiums due to increased crime associated with shelters, citing incidents like the shooting in Olde Town on October 22nd.

“The real issue is the council's decision to prioritize business interests and beautification of Olde Town. Statements like Councilmember Sharon Davis's, 'Businesses in Olde Town are suffering,' highlight the focus on business interests. This is about ensuring we don’t face economic hardship and force people out of homes and onto the streets.” - Tiffany Munoz

Residents are also concerned that many individuals experiencing homelessness need mental health and substance abuse treatment—resources that are currently lacking in the community.

“Placing a harm reduction program like Points West, that distributes needles near Olde Town Library, into a neighborhood without nearby hospitals or emergency services is reckless regardless of the intentions." - Tiffany Munoz

A Call for Collaboration and Proactive Solutions

In response to the city’s proposed plans, Arlington Meadows residents are urging the City Council to reconsider its approach. They advocate for proactive programs focused on homelessness prevention, such as affordable housing, mental health services, and job training, rather than just providing temporary shelter solutions that have often failed in other communities.

Several residents have shared research, citing academic articles and publicly available data from first responders, which highlight the failure of navigation centers in other regions.

“No finalizations should occur without considering all data sources, not just the ones that fit your narrative. I have, and will continue to, share my research with you, sourced from academic articles, publicly available data from first responders, and real-world examples of how navigation centers consistently fail communities and are weaponized to disproportionately police our homeless neighbors in need.” - Karen DeAguero

Instead of pushing forward with a reactive and potentially harmful solution, residents urge the City Council to consider a more structured, proactive approach. This approach would involve first establishing a hospital with behavioral health and substance abuse treatment facilities, followed by the creation of a shelter that offers more than just a bed. It should provide treatment, recovery programs, education, and employment opportunities. Only after these critical resources are in place should the city consider establishing a shelter.

“Without the right resources, this initiative will fail. Have a structured approach: treatment, recovery, education, and employment. First establish a hospital with behavioral health and substance abuse facilities, then create a nearby shelter, and finally network with trade programs funded by the state to secure employment. Arvada needs to make a lasting impact while protecting the stability of neighborhoods.” - Tiffany Munoz

A Vision for Sustainability: Repurposing the ECA Building

In a hopeful turn of events, another vision for the ECA building was presented. This proposal calls for transforming the ECA into a net-zero green building—serving as a cornerstone for Arvada’s Climate Action and Sustainability Plan. By repurposing the building, Arvada could lead the way in addressing environmental concerns like waste reduction, energy efficiency, and community resilience.

Imagine turning the ECA into a hub for sustainable innovation, where Arvada residents can come together to learn about recycling, renewable energy, and zero-waste practices. It could also create job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and become a space for community education.

“The ECA building is more than just a structure; it’s an investment in our sustainable future and the well-being of our community. Let’s come together to transform it into a vibrant hub of sustainability, reinforcing our commitment to a greener Arvada.” - Monique Lani

The Voice of the Community: Over 1,400 Signatures and Growing

In addition to these concerns, a petition against the proposed shelter has garnered more than 1,400 signatures from residents who oppose the plan. This overwhelming outpouring of public discontent highlights the frustration over the lack of transparency and failure to engage stakeholders in the planning process.

“Shawna Ambrose, as the representative of District 2, we urge you to listen to the overwhelming voices of our community—your constituents. We currently hold over 1,400 signatures of those who also oppose your plan. You were elected to be our voice, to stand with us and advocate for the well-being of our neighborhood.” - Karen DeAguero

Conclusion: A Call for Real Dialogue and Action

The outcry from Arvada residents against the proposed homeless shelter underscores a deeper issue—the need for transparent, collaborative decision-making. Whether addressing homelessness, sustainability, or other community challenges, residents are calling for genuine engagement, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard.