Fort Collins council approves $4.35 million in housing and homelessness awards

The Fort Collins City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Resolution 2026-078, finalizing $4,348,350 in federal and city funding for affordable housing, homelessness services, public-facility projects and administration. The money was awarded through the city’s spring competitive process using Community Development Block Grant funds, HOME funds and the City Affordable Housing Fund.

The measure passed on the consent calendar as Item 20. Agenda materials said the awards cover affordable housing and public-facility projects as well as homelessness public-service programs. During public comment, Family Housing Network’s executive director thanked the city and said the award would help double overnight family shelter capacity from four families to eight.

After the vote, Councilmember Chris Conway said he wants future discussions about how the city weighs preservation of existing affordable housing against creating new supply. He said he is also learning more about how the Human Services and Housing Funding Board and the Affordable Housing Board make recommendations, adding that he thinks there is “some procedural stuff to take a look at there.”

Mayor Pro Tem Julie Pignataro said the funding level underscores how far city resources fall short of housing needs. Referring to the resolution’s $4,348,350, she said that amount is about 1% of the “actual demonstrated need of development and construction cost in our community.” Pignataro said she was grateful for the boards’ deliberations but said council should recognize “the deficit in funding for housing in our community.”