Homelessness FAQs

Many reasons could cause someone to experience homelessness. People who are unable to find affordable housing, lose a job, get a divorce, escape from domestic violence, suffer from physical or mental health problems, experience the impacts of racial inequality, or struggle with substance use disorders are at greater risk of experiencing homelessness. You can learn more on the National Coalition for the Homeless website.

The term “chronically homeless” is used to refer to people who have one or more disabling conditions and have been homeless for an extended period of time.

Boulder County collects county-wide and city-specific data about the people who enter the Coordinated Entry system. The Coordinated Entry System is the entry point for individuals 18 years and older to access local services. Learn more about the Coordinated Entry System.

In 2024, 340 people went through coordinated entry in Longmont, a decrease from 351 in 2023. These numbers only represent single adults and do not include homeless families or people experiencing homelessness who did not access services. More information can be found on the Homeless Solutions for Boulder County Data Dashboard.
According to the Colorado Department of Education, there were 22,896 students in the state, including 899 in the St Vrain Valley school district, who were homeless during the 2023-2024 school year.

The City of Longmont provides funding to various organizations that offer programs and services to help people experiencing homelessness. The following is a list of organizations currently receiving funding: 

• HOPE for Longmont: Outreach and shelter services

• All Roads: Shelter services

• Recovery Café: Addiction recovery support

• A Way Forward: Addiction recovery support

• OUR Center: Family support and shelter services

• Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA): Family support and shelter services

The City of Longmont is also an active partner with Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC), which helps people transition out of homelessness into permanent, stable housing. For more information, visit the HSBC website.

Street outreach is one way to identify people experiencing homelessness, build relationships with them and connect them with services. 

In Boulder County, people experiencing homelessness access services through the Coordinated Entry system. This system helps determine each individual’s needs and provides case management to connect them with services and support.

In Longmont, Coordinated Entry can be conducted by phone at (720) 494-4673 or in person. Visit the HOPE website for the most up-to-date service hours. 

Some people who enter the Coordinated Entry system work with a case manager as part of the Navigation program, which provides short-term support for people who require limited assistance to get back into permanent housing. Case managers help individuals develop a housing plan and may receive conflict resolution support, financial assistance, legal assistance and connections to other relevant programs. Overnight sleeping space is also available to qualified Navigation participants.

People who have significant barriers to housing, like disabling conditions and long-term homelessness, may receive overnight shelter and wrap-around services on an extended basis, known as Housing-Focused Shelter. 

Find information about other services in Boulder County at this resource hub.

HOPE provides temporary overnight shelter during extreme weather, as space is available. 

HOPE manages two shelters that can each support up to 49 adults.

A person who has entered the Coordinated Entry system or is enrolled in an approved Housing Focused Shelter (HFS) program can stay in a shelter as long as they need, as long as they work with a case manager. Case managers help individuals find full-time work, sign up for disability benefits, register for subsidized housing and connect with other permanent housing options. 

Those who choose to stop working with their case manager will be exited from the program and shelter. However, as long as a person is not banned from a shelter for bad behavior, they can get shelter during extreme weather. 

Being homeless is not illegal and people experiencing homelessness have the same rights as others. These include the right to decline services unless they have life-threatening injuries. People experiencing homelessness can enjoy public spaces as long as they aren’t breaking any laws.

Longmont’s Public Safety division offers several programs to help people experiencing homelessness: 

• The Angel Initiative helps people struggling with substance use disorder. 

• The LEAD program redirects those suspected of crimes associated with substance use to intensive case management services instead of jail. 

• CORE Teams include a specially trained police officer, a behavioral health clinician and a paramedic to respond to 911 calls that may involve a mental health crisis. 

• The Community Health Program serves community members with chronic or complicated health issues through a partnership with Medicaid. 

People often face many barriers that get in the way of accessing services. Research shows that people experiencing homelessness are often only able to work towards meeting their most critical needs of “today,” like getting food and finding a safe place to sleep. It’s harder for them to tackle longer-term challenges like getting a job, mental health and recovery support. These are some of the many factors that can “trap” someone in homelessness.

Even so, there is always hope, and the City and our partners continue to try to engage these individuals in different ways and find solutions that work for them. 

No. While all Boulder County programs prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs at their locations, individuals who are intoxicated can receive most shelter services, if they follow the rules.

While everyone is welcome to enjoy Longmont parks during regular hours of operation, the following activities are illegal and prohibited: 

• Using illegal drugs 

• Vandalizing or damaging park property (including graffiti) 

• Occupying the park bathroom as living quarters 

• Causing a disturbance 

• Defecating, urinating, or exposing one’s genitals in public 

• Littering 

To report any of the above crimes in progress, call (303) 651-8501 for non-emergencies or 9-1-1 for emergencies. You can also contact the police at (303) 651-8555 and fire at (303) 651-8437. 

Visit the Parks and Open Space Rules and Regulations webpage to learn more about the City of Longmont’s rules and regulations for parks, open spaces, trails and greenways.  

Visit the Camping Rules webpage for information about camping rules and enforcement. 

Visit Public Safety’s Abandoned Vehicles webpage to learn more about related rules and enforcement.

People are safer when living indoors and our goal is to connect people experiencing homelessness with permanent, stable housing and supportive services. Creating, supervising and maintaining a camp would divert significant City resources from increasing accessible housing opportunities that would help us meet that goal. 

While asking for money in public places is not illegal, it is not safe for people to panhandle from the median of a street or street corners. The City’s Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness webpage lists local nonprofits where people can donate money to support homelessness-related programs and services.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is designed for chronically homeless individuals and families who need long-term housing and services. PSH usually serves individuals on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and focuses on long-term housing stability. 

Everyone should be treated with respect. Making eye contact and sharing a smile with someone who is experiencing homelessness can have a positive impact on their day.

Create and distribute kits that include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, personal care products, water and snacks. 

Organize a drive at your church, school or office to collect blankets, coats, hats, gloves, socks, etc., to donate to an organization that serves people experiencing homelessness. 

Support local organizations that provide services to people experiencing homelessness by volunteering your time or donating clothes, food or money. Visit each organization’s website to learn about its specific needs and how you can help. Donating to organizations can be more impactful than giving directly to individuals because organizations can provide comprehensive support, implement long-term solutions and ensure resources are used effectively. 

Support affordable housing developments in our community. 

Talk about homelessness with your friends and family to increase their understanding of its causes and encourage them to help however they can.  

If you encounter a homeless person in Longmont who is looking for shelter or other services, contact HOPE at 720-494-467. 

In case of emergency, call 9-1-1.