Loveland Opens Resource Center for Overnight Shelter After South Railroad Facility Closure
Loveland has opened the Loveland Resource Center for 24/7 overnight shelter operations under a 30-day permit issued October 6, providing emergency accommodations after the South Railroad Facility shelter closed September 30 when its temporary use permit expired.
The city is prioritizing indoor space at the Resource Center, located at 137 S. Lincoln Avenue, for women and individuals with physical disabilities. Others may camp behind the facility using their own tents, according to a city announcement October 9.
The temporary conversion comes after the South Railroad Facility, which opened April 12, 2023 as an overnight shelter for individuals 18 and older, exhausted the one-time funding that supported its operations. The facility was established with a $595,000 state Transformational Homelessness Response Grant and additional city funding.
Loveland's municipal code limits temporary use permits for shelters to a maximum of three years—one year initially, followed by a single two-year renewal—provided the use is not substantially changed. The South Railroad Facility's permit expired September 30 and could not be extended under these requirements.
Daily Evaluation of Temporary Arrangement
City officials are evaluating the Resource Center's temporary shelter operations daily while working with nonprofit partners and community stakeholders to explore additional short-term options and long-term solutions.
The Resource Center previously operated primarily as a day shelter providing showers, lockers, laundry and case management services, with limited severe-weather overnight capacity for 20 to 22 people. The October 6 permit authorizes full overnight shelter operations for 30 days.
Extensions beyond 30 days would require higher-level administrative review or City Council approval under Loveland's Unified Development Code, which governs temporary facility conversions for emergency public welfare purposes.
Daytime Services Continue Through Partner Agencies
Daytime support services remain available through multiple partner organizations at the Resource Center, including:
- SummitStone Health Partners providing mental health support, peer support and resource navigation
- North Colorado Health Alliance offering peer support and resource navigation
- Volunteers of America and Veterans Affairs providing veteran resources
- Hunger Free offering food and SNAP navigation
- Deserving Dental providing full-service dental care
- Haircuts by Ginny offering haircut services
- Larimer County Community Justice Alternatives assisting with justice system navigation
The Loveland Street Outreach Team, launched in 2024 with SummitStone Health Partners, continues connecting individuals to services. Residents can reach the outreach team at 970-494-9956 or [email protected].
Shelter Funding Challenges
Operating costs for both the South Railroad Facility and Resource Center exceeded $2.2 million in 2024. Between 2022 and 2023, Loveland spent more than $4.1 million establishing the South Railroad Facility and paying for motel overflow sheltering.
The closure reflects broader funding challenges facing temporary homeless shelters in Colorado municipalities, which typically rely on one-time state grants, general fund allocations, and emergency appropriations rather than sustainable long-term funding mechanisms.
Permanent shelter facilities generally require voter-approved tax measures, multi-year state and federal grants, or public-private partnerships to maintain operations beyond temporary emergency responses.
Council Discussion of Long-Term Solutions
During an October 7 virtual City Council meeting held in executive session, council members discussed a possible long-term shelter option. City Manager confirmed that council expressed support for bringing the topic to a future public meeting.
The city plans to present the longer-term opportunity to the community once a meeting date is confirmed.
"The focus remains on bringing the community together to talk about what solutions could be possible," city officials stated. "Addressing homelessness requires collaboration and resources. While the City can no longer lead this effort, we remain committed to being a community partner."
Community Engagement Efforts
Loveland is engaging various stakeholders including nonprofits, faith groups, businesses and residents to explore long-term, community-driven solutions. The goal is to build shared understanding that can guide a practical path forward for addressing homelessness throughout the community.
Residents can contact city staff about homeless services and shelter operations through the Homelessness Hotline at 970-962-2150 or by email at [email protected]. Additional information is available at lovgov.org/homelessness.