May 19—The Boulder Chamber of Commerce announced Friday that the chamber, Visit Boulder and the Downtown Boulder Partnership have adopted a unified framework for homelessness policy in the city.
A chamber news release stated that the central goal of the Homelessness Solutions Policy Framework is to prevent lives from being lost to homelessness. It is less a specific policy proposal than it is an outline of strategies for managing homelessness in Boulder, with possible solutions that include providing shelter alternatives, support services and a pathway to permanent housing for unhoused residents.
The policies in the framework were developed based on a series of roundtable discussions where chamber representatives conferred with business leaders, residents, experts and unhoused individuals. Many of these policies were presented and discussed at the most recent roundtable event on April 10, although some changes have been made since that time.
Boulder Chamber President and CEO John Tayer said the new additions include an emphasis on clear funding and priorities, support for transitional housing, and enforcement of consequences for "recalcitrant individuals" who have repeatedly broken the law.
The main significance of Friday's announcement was that the business community had spoken "with one voice" to approve the framework, Tayer said.
"What we had developed (in April) was a staff draft proposal, and (we) sought feedback at that meeting from experts in the field," said Tayer. "We took this then, ultimately, to all three of our policy boards. And with unanimous approval, they all have adopted ... the policy framework. So it is, in fact, a unified business community voice."
The policy framework is also intended to address potential impacts of homelessness on Boulder businesses. The framework clearly states that some of its goals are "eliminating criminal activity associated with the unhoused," protecting public spaces and lands from "intrusion" by encampments, and supporting law enforcement in enforcing the city's camping ban. The ban is currently being challenged in court, with plaintiffs alleging the policy may violate the state Constitution.
Regarding the chamber's support of the camping ban, Tayer said, "We feel that it's appropriate for communities to maintain their public spaces for the use of all, and that camping in those public areas is not an appropriate use. And so we want to make sure that we have clean and safe access for all residents."