After nearly two years of study interrupted by a pandemic a proposed shelter for people experiencing homelessness is likely right back where it started: somewhere in north Fort Collins.
The second iteration of the city s Homelessness Advisory Committee a scaled-down version of the 2019 group studying the need, possible funding and locations for a new shelter is leaning heavily toward two sites in north Fort Collins: 1311 N. College Ave. and county-owned property at Vine Drive and Redwood Street.
Both are close to transit stops and existing services for people experiencing homelessness, making them favored locations by much of the committee. I see a clear direction here, said David Rout, executive director of Homeward Alliance, which runs the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center that provides services for the homeless. Both sites make sense in terms of location, he said. There seems to be less controversy around Vine and Redwood.
As the city s second Homelessness Advisory Committee hones in on recommendations for the size, shape and location of a 24/7 homeless shelter, the North Fort Collins Business Association released results of a survey detailing members encounters with transient and homeless individuals.
About 80 members responded, and while the results are anecdotal, they give us a better picture of what s going on, said Dean Hoag, chairman of NFCBA. There are a lot of incidents that aren t reported to the police.
Reports ranged from loitering, littering and aggressive panhandling to drug deals, overnight camping and harassment. Nearly 70% of those answering the survey said incidents have increased since the temporary shelter opened, and 48 said they reported the issues to the police or Outreach Fort Collins, a street-based outreach program.
Fort Collins City Council election: 20 questions with Erin Hottenstein, District 4 candidate msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Coloradoan sent a 20-item questionnaire to all Fort Collins City Council candidates, seeking their viewpoints and policy ideas about a range of city issues.
The Fort Collins municipal election is April 6, and the City Clerk’s Office will send ballots in the mail by March 19. Check your voter registration here to make sure you get a ballot. Council members are elected by district, and the mayor is elected citywide. Check which council district you live in here.
Jeff Hansen is running to represent District 5, which covers central-west Fort Collins. The other District 5 candidate is Kelly Ohlson. These are Hansen s submitted answers to our questionnaire.