CO Olmstead Disability Homeless Law & Policy Project

9 News Next --- Wed. Nov. 16, 2022
Denver Re-Evaluates Heating Center Criteria
IRREPARABLE HARM --- Does It Go Both Ways?
  • This Disability Advocate certainly thinks Homelessness represents an UNREASONABLE, FORESEEABLE RISK of "IRREPARABLE HARM."
  • On the other hand, some Phoenix residents argued that Homeless Encampments -- represented IRREPARABLE HARM to the HOUSED RESIDENTS.
  • We are in desperate need of THIRD ALTERNATIVES.
There is a need for State Olmstead Assessment Centers for Chronically Homeless Individuals with Disabilities (homeless for a year or more or repeatedly homeless) --- maybe run through Medicaid Long Term Care Single Entry Points and Medicaid Regional Care Collaboratives.

With access to:
  • Motel Vouchers
  • Wrap Around Services (Assertive Community Treatment, etc.)
  • Supportive Housing
  • Assisted Living and/or Nursing Home if appropriate and desired by the person.

Chronic homelessness is used to describe people who have experienced homelessness for at least a year — or repeatedly — while struggling with a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability.

How Many People Experience Chronic Homelessness?

Chronically Homeless -
National Alliance to End Homelessness
  • BE PATIENT.  Unresolved Trauma is often at the core of issues for Homeless Veterans & Others
  • USE ABA RESOURCES.
  • BE CREATIVE.
  • LOBBY FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE.
THE LEGAL PROJECT --- We're Pursuing
  • Individual Advocacy
    • Pro Bono Project to bring together Attorneys & the Disability Community to address individual cases of people with Disabilities who are Homeless ---
      • Relying primarily on Olmstead
      • Peer Support to Individual Clients is viewed as an essential part of this project.
      • Now --- the State WOULD HAVE a DEFENSE if it had a COMPREHENSIVE, EFFECTIVELY WORKING OLMSTEAD PLAN.
        • Colorado doesn't have one of those and neither do most states.

  • Systemic Advocacy
    • We would like legal entities that might be in a position to take on a SYSTEMIC CLASS ACTION to monitor progress on the Individual cases.