Aurora officials pause tier‑3 referrals at Regional Navigation Campus as council readies performance-resolution

The Horns Committee heard operational and facility updates for the Aurora Regional Navigation Campus (ARNC) and agreed to advance a resolution that would set performance metrics and reporting expectations for the campus.

Stephanie Kyper, manager of homelessness for the City of Aurora, said the city has paused referrals to tier 3 while it mitigates mold on the fifth‑floor tower. "There were 11 different guests in 10 different rooms in tier 3 that have now been relocated to other accommodations," Kyper said, and staff expect the build‑back to be complete by the end of summer before tier 3 placements resume. Kyper said outdoor improvements — including new lighting and a permanent outdoor area — are being finalized and will go through the city council approval process.

Jim, CEO of Advanced Pathways (ARNC's operator), described ongoing operations and staffing: Advanced Pathways reported five case managers on staff with one vacancy, 258 one‑on‑one case sessions in May, monthly staff trainings and continued volunteer recruitment. He said staff conduct outreach and engagement hourly during the day and security performs evening perimeter checks; he added recent counts show improvement in trash and occupancy near the greenway.

Council members pressed staff on capacity and safety. In response to a question about total guests, staff estimated about 300 guests (±10), with roughly 65 in tier 2 and the remainder in tier 1; of about a dozen tier 3 residents prior to the pause, five had been placed into independent housing and seven were temporarily placed in tier 2. On a question about a death outside the fence, staff said Aurora Fire Rescue and police reported no signs of trauma and that the coroner and police investigation are ongoing.

Separately, staff introduced a proposed ARNC resolution — sponsored by Council Member Horton — intended to establish clear performance metrics (quarterly reporting, a comprehensive six‑month report after adoption, and ongoing progress updates), accountability standards, and expectations for data sharing. "This resolution aims to tighten up some of the metrics so the city can say what’s being met and what’s not," Horton said. Staff noted much of the data requested already exists in operator agreements and HUD/grant compliance reporting; the resolution would standardize reporting to council.

The committee discussed adding language to mark one year from adoption as a formal review point and agreed that would be reasonable. Committee members agreed to move the resolution forward to the July 13 study session for further council consideration. The committee recorded affirmative votes to advance the item during the meeting.

What happens next: the resolution will be placed on the July 13 study session for committee members to review the detailed metrics language and the proposed cadence of quarterly and six‑month reporting. The ARNC operator and city staff said they will prepare the standardized report template and timing requested by council.