HAAT Force South Metro, Inc

HAAT Force - Homelessness Awareness and Action Task Force – has a mission to provide life-saving severe weather motel vouchers to people experiencing homelessness in the South Metro Denver area.

Founded in 2010, as a response to a group of individuals concerned about homelessness in the South Metro Denver area, a large gathering of representatives from local government agencies, nonprofits and faith communities convened to identify what services were currently being provided and what the gaps were. Severe weather shelter was identified as the most pressing need, and it still is today.

HAAT Force is now the leading severe weather sheltering organization in the region. In 2024-2025 season, HAAT Force registered 316 clients. Of those registered, 192 individuals were sheltered with 561 vouchers on 38 nights of severe weather.  In addition to motel vouchers, HAAT Force provides meals, hygiene products and other essentials for the duration of their stay. HAAT Force also provides a pop-up clothing bank of winter wear. With trusted local partners, HAAT Force provides guests with resource navigation.

HAAT Force provides motel vouchers during severe weather from October through April annually to the following people experiencing homelessness: 

• Families with children 18 years of age and under
• People with physical disabilities and/or medical issues; and their caregivers
• People with pets or service animals
• Pregnant people
• People who are transgender or gender nonconforming
• People recently released from the hospital in need of a place to recover
• Vulnerable older adults
• Veterans
• Any unhoused individuals including immigrants, released from incarceration, and those without identification

Severe weather criteria:

• 32 degrees and lower with wet conditions
• 20 degrees and lower with dry conditions

HAAT Force is small but mighty! It operates with 2 full-time and 3 part-time staff members, and a cadre of volunteers.