Adams County approves $185,000 amendment to expand 'SWAP Familiar Faces' rapid rehousing program

The Adams County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved a resolution (Amendment 1) to the contract with Homeless Home Incorporated to add $185,000 in funding for the SWAP (Severe Weather Activation Program) Familiar Faces rapid rehousing program.

County staff and program managers described the program’s model: staff identify the top users of the SWAP program through data analysis and a multidisciplinary "case conferencing" meeting with roughly 25 homelessness navigators, nonprofit partners and county staff. Program managers said they reviewed about 90 high-frequency SWAP users, rehoused roughly 30 people through various placements and provided the rapid-rehousing subsidy to 10 people under the prior contract year. The rapid-rehousing subsidy covers rent and utilities initially and is tapered as case managers assess stabilization; program managers said national data show about 80% retention in housing after rapid rehousing.

Lindsay Earl, manager for Poverty Reduction and Homelessness Services, said the current $185,000 amendment places funds already approved in the 2026 budget into the contract so the provider can continue the rapid rehousing subsidy and case-management supports. Staff said the subsidy is provided for up to 12 months on a rolling basis from the individual's admission date.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about eligibility, how subsidies taper and how the county might recoup downstream savings; staff said the program redirects repeated SWAP costs into housing and cited an estimated $3 savings for every $1 invested in the program (staff provided the multiplier as part of their summary but did not present a detailed cost-recovery plan in the meeting). A commissioner asked staff to include future discussion of how recovered savings could be redirected to support additional participants.

A motion to approve the amendment passed on an affirmative vote recorded in the meeting.

(Clarifying note: staff referenced American Rescue Plan funds used in prior years that expire Sept. 30; the amendment discussed in this meeting allocates 2026 budgeted dollars to the contract as presented.)