Posada's History

Posada's evolution over the past 20 years reflects two key trends:

• Homeless populations have shifted from being predominantly single men to being mostly families with children.
• Posada has expanded from providing shelter to providing a whole sequence of services and housing that help homeless people toward full independence.

2007 Calendar Year Program Results:

• Emergency Shelter Program 2007 - 13,130 nights of emergency shelter were provided to 241 families.
• Transitional Housing Program 2007 - 6,855 nights of transitional housing were provided to 13 families.
• Permanent Housing Program 2007 - 5,514 nights of permanent housing were provided to 16 families and individuals.
• Warming Shelter - 400 nights of cold weather shelter was provided to 41 individuals.

Supportive Services Only 2007

• 1,585 new clients who were homeless accessed Posada's service center. Over 5,000 people received services during the calendar year.
• 230 households moved off the street and into housing.
• 1,029 homeless people received assistance with job training opportunities.  432 homeless people received employment.
• 41 people received intensive substance abuse counseling and treatment.
• 472 people received mental health services at the Central Service Center.
• 1,592 homeless people received supportive services including medical and dental services, transportation and childcare.

Current Projects:

• Continued shelter for single men and women in a warming shelter setting.
• Staff is working with the Pueblo County Management Agency on a plan to shelter up to 200 people to insure that people affected by smaller disasters have support.
• Spearheaded the Holiday Blessing's Store, which was a combined effort by six local agencies to get toys to children over the holiday - 1,544 children were served, and we anticipate that more children will be served this year.
• Partnering with the City of Pueblo in October 2007 to provide over $200,000 of rental assistance to homeless families.

Goals and Objectives for 2008:

• Shelter 120 unduplicated families in our emergency shelter program.
• House 12 families in Posada’s Transitional Rural Initiative Project.
• House 10 families using Section Eight Vouchers through SHHP and the Pueblo Housing Authority.
• House 8 families with disabilities through the Permanent Supportive Housing Project.
• Serve 1,500 unduplicated individuals in Posada’s supportive services program.
• Maintain 40 units of housing in Posada’s Rio Sacramento apartments and 4 units at 724 East 5th Street.
• Break ground for Via Don Carlos, a development of 30 houses and a community center for migrant farm workers.
• Provide services to over 500 individuals at-risk who are at risk of HIV/AIDS or STDs at an outreach service center.

Timeline

1987

Posada incorporated in February 1987 to address homelessness in Pueblo County, Colorado

By April, began providing emergency services in area churches and temporary location; by October, opened a shelter at 112 W. D Street.

1988

Continued housing homeless, single men at the D street facility, and developed support services to help clients end the cycle of homelessness.

1990

Added off-site emergency shelter for women and families with children in a local motel.

1992

Reflecting shifts in the homeless population, Posada's board mad the decision in October, 1992 to phase out services to single men and concentrate resources on homeless families with children.

1993

D St. facility closed; central office for intake and outreach opened. Additional motel rooms for temporary housing secured. Property at 431 E. 4th St. purchased and rehabilitated into transitional housing for families and children..

1995

Purchased property at 1008 N. Grand Ave. to provide supportive services and house administrative offices.

1997

Complete new construction of 10 affordable homes (less than $70,000) around Pueblo.

1998

On-site medical treatment facility operated by Pueblo Community Health Center opened at 1008 N. Grand; rehabbed a home for less than $50,000 and sold it to a family with two disabled members.

1999

Converted transition housing on 4th St. to Single Room Occupancy to provide permanent housing to homeless individuals who are employed or in school.

2001

Completed a four-plex for low-income permanent housing on 5th St.

2002

Broke ground for a 40-unit multifamily development in Belmont. Plans underway to provide housing for 31 migrant farm worker households.