La Plata County and the city of Durango have spent many hours and dollars searching for a permanent solution for temporarily unhoused persons. The La Plata Board of County Commissioners has approved the purchase of four contiguous properties, located near the intersection of Highways 160 and 550 to be developed into a managed camp for those in our community experiencing homelessness. This new proposal seems to meet most of the criteria necessary for success: safe, clean, in a central location, within city limits, with existing infrastructure (water, sewer, power and road access), and proximity to transportation and social services.

The League of Women Voters supports programs and policies that provide these sorts of safe and stable housing projects. Federal money is available now and additional sources have been identified for future needs.

The League encourages the city and the county to prioritize the processes, like due diligence in rezoning, land use approval and other requirements that are part of this real estate transaction. We have waited too long for this. The League wants to see this program completed quickly to serve the needs of the many unhoused in our community in a new and improved environment as soon as possible.

We thank the county, the city, Manna, Neighbors in Need Alliance, the Coordinating Council on Homelessness, mental health, housing and human services providers, and others in the community for their hard work on this challenging problem. This is a viable project that deserves all our attention.

Laurie Meininger

Durango