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Total Population and Population of Children under 18 years
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2010; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008) Note: The values shown are within city limits (where applicable) as opposed to Census County Division (CCD). As of 2009, the racial makeup of Larimer County is mostly Caucasian - 91.8% of the total population. Just over ten percent (10.2%) of the population is Hispanic, 2% is Asian, 0.9% is Black, and 0.6% is American Indian. As of 2008, 89% of Fort Collins' and 94.4% of Loveland's total population was Caucasian. Ten percent (10%) of Larimer County’s population was Hispanic, with 9.4% of Fort Collins' and 10.6% of Loveland's population Hispanic. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008, American Community Survey, 2009) Poverty Rate for Total Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) Since 2000, Larimer County’s childhood poverty rate increased 1.6 times faster than the state of Colorado and 6.4 times faster than the nation.
Note: The U.S. Census Bureau provides the Annual American Community Surveys estimates for communities with 65,000 residents or more. Until 2009, Fort Collins was the only community in Larimer County that qualified for estimates. In 2008, an Annual American Community Survey was completed for communities with populations of 20,000 or more; Loveland was included in that survey.
Pathways Past Poverty Initiative The Pathways Past Poverty Initiative began in response to the October 2006 release of alarming Census Bureau statistics that showed a growing percentage of our Larimer County population living in poverty. Looking at this critical data, it became imperative to begin a community dialogue about what we need to do to be proactive and begin to turn this trend around before it became too large to effectively address. As the organization focused on health and human services across our county, United Way was the logical choice to convene this conversation, in collaboration with Colorado State University, NCEDC, The Coloradoan, and other non-profit organizations. As a result of these partnerships the Pathways Past Poverty initiative was formed. Since its formation, PPP has formulated 12 goals to address the needs of those living in poverty now, but to also create long term solutions and opportunities for Larimer County residents to attain and maintain self-sufficiency. Contact: Marija Weeden-Osborn, mweedenosborn@uwaylc.org or 970-407-7082
According to the 2007 Statewide Homelessness Count, there were 15,394 homeless men, women, and children in the state of
Colorado on January 29, 2007. Thirty-seven percent (37.3%) were households with children. The one-day count was performed by agencies that serve homeless populations and volunteers who physically went to known locations where homeless people spend time. Data collected during the one-day count are an estimate and represent a snapshot of how many people were homeless on that day. Note, however, that homelessness counts are accepted as underestimates. In Fort Collins alone, the point-in-time study conducted on March 9, 2010, estimated 518 men, women and children were homeless, while 617 were at risk of homelessness. One in 10 homeless persons were very young children (birth–5 years) and almost one quarter of all homeless individuals were children less than 18 years of age. More than half of all homeless individuals were living in households with children. (Source: Homeward 2020 - based on information from Fort Collins 2010 PIT)
Catholic Charities Northern - The Mission Catholic Charities is dedicated to helping people of all ages, faiths, ethnic backgrounds and economic circumstances. They believe in providing the tools people need to reach self-sufficiency. They strive to assure that the basic necessities of life – food, clothing and shelter – are available to people in need. They offer opportunities and assistance to children and families, senior citizens, the disabled and many others Catholic Charities provides service exclusively in Colorado from Metro Denver to northern Colorado and the Western Slope. Eighty-five percent (85%) of our funds are used for direct service to the needy, with only 11% of our budget used in administration and delivery of our services and 4 % for fundraising. The Mission in Fort Collins operates the Hostel of Hospitality, accommodating up to 40 persons, including single men, single women and families. An evening meal and breakfast are served, and there are facilities for showers and laundry. Transitional housing is under construction. Contact: 970-484-5010 Homelessness Prevention Initiative The Homelessness Prevention Initiative assists families by providing:
Funding for this work is made possible through the generosity of the local faith community, foundations, agencies and individuals. Volunteers working out of four local churches, as well as a new community center, perform intake services, provide referrals and advocacy, and authorize rental assistance. These intake sites are located in diverse areas of Fort Collins and include St. Joseph Catholic Church, Plymouth Congregational Church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Harmony Presbyterian Church and the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope. Contact: Sue Beck-Ferkiss, sbeckferkiss@uwaylc.org or 970-407-7021 Homeward 2020 is a very specific initiative to end homelessness by the year 2020 in Fort Collins, Colorado. This is a collaborative effort made up of support and leadership from the business, government, and non-profit sectors in the community with a very evidence-based, metric-driven approach. To end homelessness in Fort Collins, it will require a two pronged approach:
Contact: Bryce Hach, bryce@homeward2020.org or 970-412-1290 House of Neighborly Service has provided shelter to low-income individuals and families in southern Larimer County for 49 years. The agency's mission is to compassionately address and respond to the effects of poverty, while helping prevent further crisis and empower those they serve to become more self-sustaining. Every effort is made to provide encouragement and vital tools for personal and situational improvement through HNS services and client responsibility, guidance, educational classes and referrals to other resources. Contact: Glorie Magrum, gmagrum@honservice.org or 970-667-4939 Neighbor to Neighbor is the primary housing resource for Larimer County residents, with services fostering the basic human need for stable housing for people from the homeless to homeowners. Neighbor to Neighbor helps people establish and maintain housing stability. Specifically, Neighbor to Neighbor staff help homeless people find homes; counsel renters and home owners in unaffordable housing situations; provide affordable apartments; and educate people looking to purchase a home. Wherever people are on the “housing continuum,” Neighbor to Neighbor helps them get to the next logical place. N2N supports Larimer County residents with three key service areas:
The mission of Neighbor to Neighbor is to open doors and advance lives by providing housing counseling, supportive services, and multi-family affordable housing. Contact: Fort Collins - 970-484-7498, At the Murphy Center - 970-494-9940, Loveland - 970-63-4163 The Open Door Mission has worked over the course of 23 years to provide shelter, meals and recovery help to homeless men and women. Whether their clients are Christian or secular, they provide services necessary for immediate well-being. Focusing on long-term solutions rather than on “band aids,” the shelter offers both 24-hour, seven-day-a-week emergency shelter services, as well as drug and alcohol programs, job assistance, church services, Bible studies, transitional housing for ex-inmates and free counseling. It is their mission to provide immediate assistance to men and women who are struggling with homelessness, while emphasizing the services that will help them stay off the streets permanently. Contact: 970-224-4302 United Way of Larimer County – Homeless Gear Program Did you know that over 60% of our homeless are families? Homeless Gear helps provide for the homeless and near homeless children of Larimer County. Homeless Gear collects outdoor gear, outdoor clothing, hygiene products and other essentials and then provides these items to the homeless. Homeless Gear wants to make sure that children have the ability to get through school, meet basic health and hygiene needs, and are protected from the elements, with as much normalcy as possible. Contact: Rick Weaver, Rick@homelessgear.org or 970-215-3292 Hand Up officially got started in 2009 after Sister Mary Alice heard a story of a New Belgium employee giving a homeless man a ‘hand up’ that resulted in a job and self-sufficiency for the once homeless man. Hand Up does thorough screening and education with its participants to help them compete in the job world. As of now, 89% of those who have completed the program have become employed and made progress towards self-sufficiency. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the participants have either gained housing or avoided losing housing as a direct result of the Hand Up Cooperative. Thirty-six percent (36%) of those that gained employment represented families. Contact: Daniel Covey, dcovey@handupcooperative.org or 970-494-9700
From 2000-2009, the number of home foreclosure filings in Larimer County increased 566%. The biggest year-to-year increase in the number of filings occurred between 2008 and 2009, with an increase of 28.4%. Prior to 2009, the number of foreclosures was likely due to sub-prime mortgages, but 2009 increases are more likely due to protracted unemployment.
Neighbor to Neighbor is the primary housing resource for Larimer County residents, with services fostering the basic human need for stable housing for people from the homeless to homeowners. Neighbor to Neighbor helps people establish and maintain housing stability. Specifically, Neighbor to Neighbor staff help homeless people find homes; counsel renters and home owners in unaffordable housing situations; provide affordable apartments; and educate people looking to purchase a home. Wherever people are on the “housing continuum,” Neighbor to Neighbor helps them get to the next logical place. N2N supports Larimer County residents with three key service areas:
The mission of Neighbor to Neighbor is to open doors and advance lives by providing housing counseling, supportive services, and multi-family affordable housing. Contact: Fort Collins - 970-484-7498, At the Murphy Center - 970-494-9940, Loveland - 970-63-4163
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Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County
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