Affordable Housing Tour

In a continuing quest to learn more about housing options in Larimer County, the Affordable Housing Team organized a tour of sites in Fort Collins area on November 8, 2011. The group visited four sites, each offering housing to various segments of the population.

            At the first stop, the Catholic Charities Mission. Glenn Good, Regional Director for Larimer County, outlined the program offered by this group. The overnight shelter provides beds for homeless singles and families with children, laundry and shower facilities, personal care items, and breakfast and dinner. While only 45 beds are now available, a new addition should be finished by January and will house another 24 people. From July 2006 to July 2007, they had to turn away 52 people. In 2010-2011, they turned away 869 people and the number is expected to be higher this year. Clients must leave the shelter at 8 in the morning but can come back at noon for lunch and then stay for the afternoon. The Hospitality Kitchen is a major activity of the Catholic Charities. Free lunches are provided to the public daily, along with a breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Emergency Assistance, which clients access at the Murphy Center, helps with utility payments, prescriptions, obtaining birth certificates, and bus passes. The senior outreach helps those 60 and older with paperwork, finding housing, budgeting, and guidance to local resources. The Veterans program provides transitional housing for homeless veterans, shelter for 4 months, case management, and life skills classes. The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program provides rental assistance and intensive case management to prevent homelessness.

Crossroads Safehouse is a beautiful new rehab of an existing building. High security measure are extensive – bars over the fences, secure entry, even drywall using recycled bullet proof vests in the entry way. This new facility, with 104 beds, will meet the need in Larimer County and also enable Crossroads to house abused people from other parts of the state. They receive food from the Food Bank, which clients are able to cook themselves in “neighborhood” kitchens. There is a clothing bank room, children’s playground and activity room (including music therapy) and 24/7 legal services.

At the Housing Authority’s Village on Stanford, we were told about the award winning “green” rehab of an existing apartment complex, which includes solar thermal panels, photovoltaic panels, geothermal heat for the clubhouse, high efficiency windows, upgraded insulation, LED and CFL lights, energy efficient appliances, low water use toilets and showers, and use of locally produced materials. Heating cost are 50% less than before the remodeling.

The last place we visited was CARE Housing’s Windtrail development across from Rolland Moore Park. In addition to general housing for families, there are 10 units for seniors that cost less than the others. They provide housing for those who earn 40, 50 and 60% of the Area Median Income. They have community gardens, a club house and laundry facilities. There are currently 30 families on the wait list for their apartments.

The Affordable Housing Team looks forward to being an advocate for these low income/abused members of our community. For an overview of affordable housing and homeless services in our area visit www.fortnet.org/AHCOLC.