The future of LifeSteps Campus includes self-sustainability and affordability, and the Casper City Council hopes to form a group of Casper residents to carry the campus in that direction.

The city of Casper gained responsibility of LifeSteps campus in 2006, after the Casper Housing Authority decided to stop operating it. It's a conglomerate of Casper nonprofits that try to address many needs in the community including homelessness and poverty.

The Casper City Council recently readjusted rates for the tenants in an effort to bring consistency to the facility.

"We are trying to meet the needs in the community with that," said Council woman Kate Sarosy. "It is good to have some vision or goals on what we are going to do there."

The four goals highlight the council's plan for the facility: how to make the campus more self-sustaining, provide support and affordability to nonprofits, plan and implement a "one-stop shop resource" for the area and address Casper's "housing gap."

Sarosy said it's necessary to be as close to self-sustainable as possible to help reduce the use of the general fund. She understands that they city can only raise rates so much before it's no longer affordable, and thinks officials may find grants to help pay for upkeep.

If the city didn't operate the facility, she said, "these folks would have to go somewhere else and pay more rent.".

The task force will help address the goals and may be compiled of LifeSteps tenants, other community nonprofit leaders, people from the private sector and city staff members.

"I think putting people's heads together on something like that would be valuable because I think some kind of longer range plan is needed," said Denny Royal, the executive director of the Community Action Partnership, which operates two programs on the facility.

He thinks self-sustainability will be a "challenge" but is possible, and hopes to work with the other members to arrive at a decision.

Councilwoman Stefanie Boster said in a recent city council work session that the "devil's in the details," when it comes to functioning independently.

Community Development Director April Getchius said once the task force is formed it will begin meeting soon and eventually produce a plan to show to the council.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com