Finding home abroad: Reflecting on the meaning of home and housing affordability

Traveling to a foreign country can offer a fresh perspective on the concept of home. During my recent rip to Spain with my daughter and her college wind symphony, I found myself reflecting on what 'home' truly means. As I explored the unfamiliar streets and immersed myself in a different culture, I gained a renewed appreciation for the place I call home and the unique qualities that make it special.

Reflecting on the idea of home made me think about the residents of Jefferson County who struggle to find affordable housing. For many, the cost of rent or home ownership are simply too high, making the concept of home more of a dream than a reality. However, our county is actively working to address this issue through various programs and initiatives. It is important to remember that a community is only as strong as its residents' sense of security and stability, and ensuring access to affordable housing is a critical part of that equation.

Last month, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to adopt our Jefferson County 15-year Housing Strategic Plan put forward by the Housing Continuum Task Force. The vision of this 15-Year Housing Strategic Plan is to address housing needs across the full spectrum of housing--from homelessness to market-rate homeownership--to help create vibrant communities where housing is accessible to all. If you are limited on time, here is a link to the Executive Summary.

As noted in the document, there is no "silver bullet" to solve all our housing challenges. The Housing Strategic Plan will serve as a toolkit of possible strategies and policy interventions to address some of the issues. To maximize our success, we must employ a variety of solutions, collaborate with our state and local partners, and work to generate new partnerships. Thankfully, we have a great group of dedicated Jeffco employees working on these issues who can help guide the county toward success. I will highlight this division below.

As I returned from Spain, I felt grateful for the experience and the opportunity to reflect on what home truly means. But I also came back with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that our work to address housing affordability in Jefferson County is vital to ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to experience the sense of security and stability that comes with having a place to call home. I look forward to continuing to work with you and our community to find innovative and effective solutions to this important issue.

The Housing, Employment and Economic Services sector is one of six divisions within the Department of Human Services, led by Kat Douglas, Director of Community and Workforce Development. The mission of Community Development is to "foster sustainable, inclusive communities through collaboration with partners to reduce poverty and enhance economic development by providing access to housing and social services, resulting in self-sufficiency for its most vulnerable populations."

The Housing segment of the division is fairly straightforward: "Jefferson County Community Development administers state and federal funds for a variety of homelessness, housing, economic development and infrastructure improvement initiatives. All projects are managed and coordinated with a wide array of partners throughout the county, including private businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations and other local government entities."

They offer a wide array of services including assistance with the Fair Housing Act, the administration of various grants and programs such as the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Community Services Block Grant Program, Eviction Prevention programs, housing assistance grants, and they maintain a robust list of housing resources and contacts.

With regard to employment, they assist in numerous ways, primarily through the Business and Workforce Center. The center promotes social and economic well-being by providing exceptional services through highly-trained and qualified staff. The Employment Navigation Center is available Monday - Thursday, 8:0 am - 3 pm at the Laramie Building, 3500 Illinois St, Ste 1600, Golden, CO 80401. For more information on the types of programs and services they offer to veterans, teens, and more, click HERE. For a full list of Housing, Employment and Economic Services, click HERE.

In honor of the Housing, Employment, and Economic Services division, this month's Get to Know Jeffco YouTube features the Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center and their partnership with our local school district to support 47 high school juniors with hands-on job experience with a variety of local employers.

Free legal clinics and court resources

I serve on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (CJCC) as one of my official board assignments. This is an advisory group that brings together policy makers, the judiciary, the Sheriff's office, the District Attorney's Office, and other stakeholder groups that intersect with the criminal justice system in Jefferson County.

At our meeting in January, our Committee Chair, Chief Judge Jeffrey Pilkington, shared a flyer about free legal clinics offered in the First Judicial District (which serves Jefferson and Gilpin counties). As you will see, there are family, probate, and civil law clinics scattered throughout the year. Also, if you are having trouble with housing, there are a variety of housing stability and eviction prevention resources as well. For households facing evictions, read the Colorado Poverty Law Project's guide on Demands for Rent and Compliance for more information.

The 1JD Court Resource Center also offers a variety of services to our community. The Center, staffed by Zac Foxx, Andy Schultz, and Melissa Walter do a terrific job helping our community navigate the courts and legal process. If you have any questions, please contact the Court Resource Center.