BOHO Launches Womens Shelter

Since its formation, BOHO has provided emergencyshelter services to supplement Boulder Shelter for theHomeless (BSH) and Bridge House (BH). BOHOserves those who are not otherwise served eitherbecause of lack of capacity or because needs are notmet. Following a three month pilot program, BOHO officially offered a Womens Shelter program beginning June 1. In the first three weeks of operation, the program has grown faster than we expected.Starting with two guests on the first night, we now have a strong growth trend in attendance, as the accompanying chart shows. This weeks average attendance is over 11 guests and is expected to continue to grow as women begin to trust that it will continue. The most closely guarded (and respected) street secret is the location of ones squat (hidden sleeping place). Most squats are illegal. Homeless women sleeping alone and hidden are at risk of assault, exposure, and arrest. Yet, the decision to trade a given way of sleeping for a new one is taken carefully.A womans squat may be lost when she tries a new shelter program. A change from the hyper-alertnessand self-reliance of a squat to the safety and community of the Womens Shelter can take some time. The Point in Time survey showed that 20 to 40 homeless women in Boulder are in need of emergency shelter, but are not served by existing programs. BOHO conducted interviews and a focus group to determine the needs of Boulders homeless women. Most unserved women need and want a women-only program, often because of recent or threatened assaults. BOHOs Womens Shelter program has a limit of 18 guests in its current configuration, and is committed to continue indefinitely. Women who have stayed with the program have expressed their gratitude, and their comments have included, I felt really safe; It was so quiet; This was the best sleep Ive had in a long time; and Two women from the church stopped in to make tea and talk to us and we loved the visit!

In February, March, and April, BOHO operated a pilot Womens Shelter program for a total of thirty nights, as an adjunct to the Emergency Warming Center. BOHO collaborated in part with the Boulder Homeless Womens Initiative (BHWI), which is co-sponsored by St. Johns Episcopal Church and the Bridge House, in the design of the pilot program. That program helped us to understand the emergency shelter needs of women who are not served by other shelter providers. We have printed and distributed nearly 500 flyers and handbills describing the new Womens Shelter program, and women are learning about the program from other agencies and from women who are already in the program. BOHO constantly explores the needs of the unserved and develops collaborations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services for Boulders homeless residents.