Larimer County Housing Strategy Statement: Larimer County recognizes the growing need for affordable, quality housing available to all its residents. The County identifies the region’s top housing needs to be 1.) additional units, 2.) starter homes for middle-income earners, 3.) increase of diverse housing options, 4.) expansion of housing resources for older adults, mobile home park residents, unhoused individuals and families, and people with disabilities.
Our office addresses these priorities through regional coordination, land use code reform, and funding to expand housing resources across Larimer County.
Regional Coordination
- Northern Colorado Continuum of Care
- Larimer County Strategic Plan committees working to coordinate regionally on land use issues to encourage affordable, attainable housing near transportation & jobs.
- Collaboration with our Housing Authorities (Housing Catalyst, Loveland Housing Authority, Estes Park Housing Authority)
- Participating in the Larimer Regional Plan to Address Homelessness (lead by Homeward Alliance, in partnership with the City of Fort Collins, the City of Loveland, the Town of Estes Park, United Way of Larimer County, and the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care)
Land Use Code Reform
- Conducted a Land Use Code Audit – from an affordable housing perspective
- Working to improve and expand our code definition of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Currently conducting community engagement to create a Mobile Home Park Preservation Zone – which would protect parks from being bought & redeveloped to displace the current residents.
- Conduct outreach and education events at our Mobile Home Parks about code compliance and permitting processes and translate key documents in those departments into Spanish to improve accessibility.
- Researching the feasibility and practicality of adding Cottage Clusters as a possibility in our rural zones.
Expansion of Housing Resources
- Funding Neighbor to Neighbor to sustain Emergency Rent Assistance Program – helping Larimer residents avoid eviction.
- Funding the Colorado Poverty Law Project to expand its work throughout the County. The project provides free legal representation and education to people at risk of eviction or experiencing issues with the CO habitability standard. It also provides Know Your Rights Training and assists many mobile home residents with knowing their rights and filing complaints with the State.
- Funding the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care with a flex fund to help the most vulnerable in our County get and remain housed faster.
- Funding to Larimer Home Improvement Program. Providing Emergency Grants and low-interest loans to low-income homeowners throughout the County.
- Funding of the HomeShare program. This program focuses on helping older adult homeowners earn extra income or help with household chores in exchange for an affordable room to rent in their homes. It improves the quality of life for the older adult homeowner and the new renter.
- Landlord Engagement – The goal of this program is to create new affordable rental units without building new units. We provide support and incentives to local landlords while working with our local housing advocates to house community members struggling to find stable housing.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the distressing lack of affordable housing in the US. Across the country, individuals and families struggled to remain in their homes. On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was a federal law passed by Congress. It was intended to help the country recover from the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The act provided $1.9 trillion in relief funds. Larimer County received $69 Million and worked with community stakeholders to identify ready-to-go transformational projects to support with these funds.
Larimer County and its Board of County Commissioners are committed to addressing our community's growing need for more affordable housing.
Below are the housing projects that received Larimer County ARPA dollars.
Medical Care for People Experiencing Homelessness - Murphy Center Renovations
Homeward Alliance is one of the region's leading agencies in providing homelessness services across the County. They currently operate the Murphy Center, located at 242 Conifer Street in Fort Collins. The Murphy Center is a resource hub and day center for community members who are unhoused and looking for guidance. It serves over 2,500 guests annually.
The Board of County Commissioners learned that there is a significant gap in accessing primary medical care for people experiencing homelessness in Larimer County. There were only two community clinics providing care to people experiencing homelessness, and they reported consistently operating beyond their capacity and had waitlists of over 700 individuals. To address this need, Larimer County invested in renovating the Murphy Center to build an on site clinic that would bring medical care to unhoused guests already accessing daily services in the building. '
The clinic is now open. Learn more about the available services.
The Matthews House: The Landing Youth Shelter
The Landing is Northern Colorado’s first youth-focused shelter and drop-in center, providing a critical safety net for young people aged 15–24. Located in Loveland, this facility serves as the regional youth shelter, welcoming youth from across Larimer County and ensuring they have 24/7 access to trauma-informed support and resources.
As an inclusive and safe space for all identities and backgrounds, The Landing provides more than just a bed; it offers comprehensive services, including:
- Resource Navigation: Dedicated support to help youth transition into permanent, stable housing.
- Health & Wellness: Direct access to physical and mental health care services.
- Essential Needs: A fully stocked food pantry, clothing, and hygiene supplies.
- Stability Services: Workforce development and educational support to break the cycle of homelessness.
A Model of Regional Collaboration The Landing is the result of a powerful partnership between local government, school districts, and nonprofits. The Thompson School District provided the foundational support by donating the land and building. Larimer County proudly committed $1.5 million in ARPA funds to bridge the gap in operating costs during the shelter’s first years of service. Other key partners include the Poudre School District, Thompson Education Foundation, and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).
Since opening its doors in winter 2024, The Landing has become a sanctuary for the region’s most vulnerable young residents, helping them regain their footing and build a foundation for a successful future.
Learn more about The Landing and services offered by The Matthews House.
Estes Park Housing Authority and Town of Estes Park: Fish Hatchery Workforce Housing
Estes Park is a beautiful community that thrives on the mountain lifestyle and outdoor adventures. It is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most famous national parks. Estes Park welcomes tourists year-round, whether they are hiking, skiing, or staying at the Stanley Hotel. It also lacks sufficient housing for those who work in Estes Park to live in Estes Park.
The Town Board of Estes Park has set aside 22 acres of town-owned property to construct housing available to local workers for rent. Estes Park Housing Authority has formally contracted with the Town to be the lead developer of the Fish Hatchery site. The site's plan is to construct 190 units, with rents that will be affordable for the local workforce.
At this point, the development is in its earliest stage. In Phase One, there are studies and assessments to conduct, community outreach to do, and necessary predevelopment work to complete. Larimer County’s grant of $2 million has been allocated to fund this first phase of the development project. In future phases, the Town Board of Estes Park will use revenue from the 6E Lodging Tax for funding. Estes Park Housing Authority also plans to pursue Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Estes Park Housing Authority is targeting to begin construction in 2025.
Learn more about and see updates on the Fish Hatchery Workforce Housing site project.
Nueva Vida: Preserving Community Through Ownership
In 2022, the residents of the Parklane mobile home park faced a common threat: the sale of their community to an outside investor, which often leads to drastic rent hikes and displacement. Instead, residents organized alongside the newly formed nonprofit, United Neighbors/Vecinos Unidos (UN/VU) to purchase the park on their behalf.
Renamed Nueva Vida (New Life) by its 300 residents, this 68-unit community is now a model for resident-led, non-profit-owned stability. While private investors in the area have raised rents by as much as $400 a month, Nueva Vida remains committed to predictable, affordable increases, ensuring that the park remains affordable.
The Board of County Commissioners recognized that affordable housing isn't just about new buildings, it's also about preserving the ones we have. Larimer County awarded $1 million toward the down payment, providing the critical equity needed to leverage private financing and secure the $6.8 million purchase of the park by UN/VU. This investment saved a vital source of affordable housing for the community.
Learn more about the journey of Nueva Vida.
Birdwhistle Affordable Homeownership
Birdwhistle Townhomes was created to provide an affordable homeownership opportunity for low-to-moderate-income households in Larimer County. By utilizing the Community Land Trust model through Elevation Community Land Trust (ECLT), these 54 newly constructed townhomes offer more than just a place to live; they provide a pathway to intergenerational wealth and long-term social stability.
These homes are reserved for residents earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Because of the land trust model, these townhomes will remain permanently affordable, serving Larimer County families for generations to come.
Larimer County proudly awarded $1 million in ARPA funds to complete the critical first step of this project: the purchase of the underlying property, ensuring the land remains an affordable community asset into the future.
Explore Birdwhistle Townhomes.
Homeless Resolution Center
To meet the increasing need for shelter services in Larimer County, the Denver Rescue Mission is constructing a Homeless Resolution Center. This facility is designed to be more than a shelter; it is a space for healing and a gateway to permanent housing.
Key Features of the Center:
- 24/7 Operation: Provides a consistent, safe environment for guests throughout the day and night.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Designed to reduce stress and promote dignity for individuals in crisis.
- Housing-First Continuum: Offers direct access to the workforce, behavioral health, and housing resources needed to end the cycle of homelessness.
The Board of County Commissioners dedicated $1.5 million in ARPA funds to support the planning and construction of this critical infrastructure, strengthening our community’s emergency response system for years to come.
The Center is scheduled to open in Fall 2026. Stay up to date on the project’s progress.
Poudre Builds - Habitat for Humanity
Larimer County invested $1 million in ARPA funds to secure nine lots within the Heartside Hill neighborhood, dedicated to Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity. This project features a unique partnership with the Poudre High School’s Geometry in Construction program. Local students apply their classroom math skills to real-world trades by building pre-constructed modular homes, which are then moved to these sites.
By funding the land purchase, Larimer County has created a permanent footprint for this innovative collaboration, providing low-income families a path to homeownership while simultaneously training the next generation of Northern Colorado’s construction professionals. These nine homes stand as a lasting tribute to the power of community partnerships.
A Foundation for Inclusive Living - CARE Communities
To address the critical shortage of affordable rentals, Larimer County dedicated $2 million toward the construction of Heartside Hill’s apartment units and its central community building. This funding supported the creation of high-quality 1- to 4-bedroom apartments designed for residents earning 50–60% of the Area Median Income. Additionally, the investment fueled the heart of the neighborhood: a community center featuring early childhood education, youth programming, and behavioral health services, ensuring residents have support right outside their front door.
Learn more about Heartside Hill Community.
Supportive Housing - L’Arche Northern Colorado
Recognizing the unique housing challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), Larimer County granted $500,000 to support the construction of two specialized homes within Heartside Hill. Operated by L’Arche Northern Colorado, these homes provide comprehensive, person-centered care for six individuals. This project ensures that our community’s most vulnerable members have a safe, permanent, and inclusive place to call home within a supportive neighborhood environment.
Private Activity Bonds
Private Activity Bonds are used to leverage funding programs for the development of Affordable Housing or other projects approved under IRS sections 141-150. Applicants for the County's Private Activity Bond allocation may be:
- a qualified issuer (the state, local governments, or a housing authority) on behalf of its own projects; or
- a private sector entity (such as a developer) who has partnered with a qualified issuer.
Larimer County has opened a Phase 2 application round for its 2026 Private Activity Bond (PAB) allocation. A total of $3,735,178 is available and applications are due April 29.
The application shall take the form of a letter signed by the applicant containing all of the information listed here: (PAB Application)
- Applicant contact information
- Contact Information for the issuer, if other than the applicant
- Type of project and location (drawings and maps are helpful)
- Type and number of individuals who will be served by the project
- Amount of allocation requested
- Applicant experience with similar projects
- Current stage of the project and estimated date of groundbreaking
- Resources being leveraged to develop and support the project
- Extent of collaboration with public and private sector partners
- Completed or anticipated review of the project by the public in surrounding areas and neighborhoods
- Any additional information needed by the County to evaluate the project against the criteria in the County's policy.
The County's Private Activity Bond Allocation Policy, including the County's evaluation criteria, may be found here: Private Activity Bond (PAB) Allocation-320.12A
For more information regarding the County's Private Activity Bond Allocation or to apply for the allocation, contact Alea Rodriguez, Larimer County Housing Stability Program Manager, at [email protected] or (970) 498-7148.
