"It is harder than ever to make ends meet and an emergency situation can put you in a tailspin. My deepest gratitude for helping me and others in need."

--HPI Client

When Homelessness Hits Home

Open the graphic above as a PDF

April 24: Fort Collins-Loveland residents spend more of incomes on housing

On April 24, the Coloradoan featured a front page article describing how Loveland and Fort Collins are second only to Boulder for the percent of income spent on rent. Rental rates are on the rise, and when combined with increases in other essentials (food, fuel, etc.) our communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable.

Read the full article here

A startling reminder from the National Low Income Housing Coalition that minimum wage is insufficient--even working full time--to afford market rate housing. The Coalition used the minimum wage from each state in determining these results.

This highlights the harsh reality that full time work may not be enough to make ends meet. HPI is dedicated to helping provide housing stability to our neighbors struggling to make ends meet.

Click here to visit the Coalition's Facebook site
Open the map above as a PDF

PlaySpent.org Receives National Attention

Durham County's PlaySpent.org was featured on CNN in October, 2011. This online simulation challenges players to make it through the month on a limited income, replicating consequences for every decision. Can you make it through the month?

Check out the CNN broadcast's coverage on TED's (Technology Entertainment Design) youtube channel by clicking here:

To PlaySpent now, click here.

Poudre School District Enrolls over 1,000 Homeless Kids

The Poudre School district counted over 1,000 of its students as homeless this year. See below for more details.

Read more...

HPI Helps Children Grow and Thrive

Children's health and well-being are not compromised when they can grow in the familiar setting of their own homes. More significant than the financial costs of homelessness are the costs to the health and welfare of the children involved.

Homeless children experience:

  • 2 times as many ear infections
  • 5 times more diarrhea and stomach problems
  • 6 times as many speech and stammering problems
  • 4 times the average rate of delayed development
  • 2 times the likelihood of going hungry than other children

We know that at least 20% of homeless children do not attend school, and of those that do, less than 25% graduate. They fall behind their grade levels and out of their peer groups, a loss that puts them at disadvantage for a lifetime. Source: National Center on Homelessness 2009 Study.

The 882 households served by the Homelessness Prevention Initiative in 2011 represent over 1,600 children. Helping families in Fort Collins maintain stable housing supports the quality of life in our city. The need for rental assistance continues to increase as people struggle to meet basic needs while healthcare, utilities, childcare, housing, and gasoline prices rise.