FAQs

The services that will be provided at Ridge View Supportive Residential Community will be open to any Colorado resident 18 or older who is currently or formerly experiencing homelessness who would like to work on a self-identified substance use disorder in a transitional housing recovery community. As of today, the program opening date is to be determined. There is no current waitlist for entry, but we encourage you to subscribe to Ridge View updates on the EngageDOLA site.

As far as other resources, Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community is a similar transitional housing recovery program that is open to any Colorado resident and is located in southeast Colorado (Las Animas/Bent County).  Information on that program can be found here: Fort Lyon Referrals.

For further information on supportive housing, please email the Division of Housing, Office of Rental Assistance at dola_doh_rap@state.co.us. 

If you are experiencing homelessness, you may call 2-1-1 or 1-866-760-6489 or  text your zip code to 898-211 or visit www.211colorado.org.

Any of the treatment and medical care at the Ridge View Supportive Residential Community can be accessed by the general population. The prioritized population is adults over 18 years old in Colorado who are experiencing homelessness, have a diagnosed Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and wish to be in a supportive environment to work on recovery before securing permanent housing, employment, etc.

Some individuals receiving services from the Ridge View Supportive Residential Community will be able to live in the Transitional Housing Program onsite. In order to live at the Transitional Housing Program, individuals will likely need to be:

• Residents of the State of Colorado
• Experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness
• Voluntarily choosing to focus on recovery
• Diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder(s)
• Willing to live alone in a dorm-like setting
• Medically safe to be in transitional housing

The Transitional Housing Program will also prioritize based on need, long lengths of homelessness, and those who are high utilizers of public systems. The Ridge View Supportive Residential Community will work with local providers across the state of Colorado to set up a referral system, including transportation to and from the campus. The eligibility criteria will be finalized through the Master Planning process, as well as the selection of the program provider(s).

At any given time it is estimated that the Transitional Housing Program will have up to 225 individuals. Individuals can stay for up to two years. We estimate that individuals will stay for approximately nine months. Therefore, it is estimated that 300 individuals will be served by the Transitional Housing program per year. 

The withdrawal management treatment will have up to 27 beds. The average length of stay for those beds will be between approximately 14 days, but this will vary based on the specifics of the treatment and medical needs, and therefore could range from four days to nearly one month. 

Between the withdrawal management program and the clinic, it is anticipated that 700 individuals will be served each year. 

The Transitional Housing Program will likely utilize a three-tiered approach to case management and supportive services for the residents. This will be further finalized through the Master Planning process, as well as the selection of the program provider(s).  This portion of the campus will be modeled largely after the Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community.

1. Goal Planning and Care Coordination: Each individual will be assigned a case manager that will focus on person-centered goal planning and care coordination. These case managers would be assigned to individuals upon admission to the Transitional Housing Program. Goal planning and care coordination case managers will utilize a motivational interviewing-focused approach toward engagement, including providing orientation and transition to transitional housing, building person-specific recovery plans, and will help ensure those individuals have a holistic plan of care. Additionally, case managers will help individuals develop goal plans, including setting SMART goals for housing, employment, and long-term recovery.
2. Housing: The Transitional Housing Program will feature a dedicated team tasked with connecting individuals to more permanent housing options in their community of choice. While each individual’s stay will be time-limited, it is the intention that these services will help connect individuals to a more appropriate long-term option. Whether that long-term option is permanent housing, supportive housing, a nursing home level of care, a different sober living program, or living with family members, there will be staff who will be responsible for helping these individuals identify, locate, and achieve placement at these housing options. The housing specialists will work in conjunction with the original referral entity to assist with the transition back to the community.
3. Employment: The campus will also employ a team of case managers who will help connect individuals to their employment of choice, including any additional training or certifications that they might need to achieve their goals.

In alignment with best practice, the Ridge View Transitional Housing Program will seek to provide case managers and peer supports at an average ratio of one case manager for every 15 transitional housing residents, although this may fluctuate based on acuity.

In addition to case managers, the Transitional Housing Program will feature peer support to drive a supportive community model that integrates a continuum of recovery-oriented treatment and care. These peers will be individuals who will provide a number of recovery-centered services, including treatment groups, crisis/conflict resolution, and general mentorship to residents.

The Ridge View Supportive Residential community is being funding by the following:

• $45 M State ARPA SLFRF (American Rescue Plan Act, State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds)
• Medicaid
• Existing Programs Co-Location
• Local Governments
• Other Partners

Overall, we anticipate the vehicular impact will be minimal and likely comparable to traffic levels during its previous use as the Youth Services Center. 

We expect the primary vehicular traffic to consist of contractors and staff, vans transporting Ridge View participants to outside appointments, and health clinic patients from the general public. 

We also anticipate minimal foot traffic since the program will be working closely with participants to coordinate transportation to and from outside appointments and their entry/exit from the program. Unlike the previous use of this site, the Ridge View Supportive Residential Community will not be an incarceration facility, so participants may leave at will.