The City of Fort Collins runs a Competitive Process each spring to give out local and federal funds for affordable housing, human services and homelessness projects and programs. These funds support services provided by nonprofit agencies and affordable housing projects.
Affordable housing funding applications open in January 2026. Homelessness and human services applications open in January 2027.
The City's goal is to help the community by addressing needs among low-income residents.
The City of Fort Collins gives out funding each year from federal and local sources.
Eligible Populations
Most people served (51%) must earn below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). The City focuses on lower-income and highly vulnerable residents.
Organizations serving HUD "Presumed Benefit" populations (like persons experiencing homelessness or individuals with disabilities) may have more flexibility with income reporting requirements.
Programs must serve Fort Collins residents living within city limits. Program activity must happen in Fort Collins.
Exclusions
The City will not fund:
- Staff positions for fundraising
- Movable equipment that is not program-specific (computers, furniture)
- Consumable supplies that are not program-specific (office supplies)
- Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, creed, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or familial status
- Organizations that require religious participation to receive services (Faith-based organizations may get funding if they serve all community members regardless of religious belief)
- Organizations that are funders or pass-through entities, except those serving as a fiscal host for direct service programming
Funding Decisions
To get funding, an organization must apply and be selected. The Human Services & Housing Funding Board (HSHFB) is a group of Fort Collins resident volunteers appointed by City Council. They review applications and make funding recommendations each spring. These meetings are open to the public.
HSHFB sends funding recommendations to City Council in June. After City Council approval, organizations must sign a Recipient Service Agreement before getting funding.
Affordable Housing Funds
Affordable Housing proposals are first reviewed based on these 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan goals:
- Increase the supply of affordable housing units
- Preserve existing affordable housing
- Provide housing stabilization services
Proposals are then reviewed based on how well they advance goals in the City's current Housing Strategic Plan.
Each year, about $1.5 – $2.5 million is available for affordable housing projects, including land purchases, housing rehabilitation, certain soft costs related to housing development and homebuyer assistance programs.
For HOME funds, projects are limited to housing units produced or assisted. For CDBG funds, projects must benefit low- and moderate-income persons, aid in preventing or eliminating slums or blight, or meet an urgent community development need.
The contracting term for Affordable Housing projects is October to September each year,
with funding delivery possibly occurring past that term.
Affordable Housing Grantee General Requirements
Applications must meet the City's underwriting standards. All allocations are "conditional commitments" until the project is fully funded. The City gives money as a loan that must be paid back when the property is sold. Owner must agree to a 60-year restrictive covenant, except for homeowner rehabilitation and HBA projects.
Human Service Funds
All Human Service applications must align with the City’s Human Services Priority Platform and its focus on addressing needs of people with low incomes. Funding supports these activities:
- Caregiving
- Prevention
- Intervention
- Food Stability
- Financial Stability & Opportunity
About $770,000 is available for Human Service activities each year from the City's General Fund. Human Services grants run for two years, from October to September each year.
Human Service funds mainly go to direct service staff salaries, program expenses and fee scholarships for clients. These funds generally do not pay for administrative salaries or other operating needs. However, up to 10% of the grant award may be used for indirect/admin costs. Another 10% may be used for discretionary direct client assistance needs.
Human Service Grantee General Requirements
The City reimburses expenses within 45 days of receiving financial invoices and beneficiary reports. Organizations must send spending reports every three months and program reports every six months. They must also track client income and demographics. Some programs may be exempt from verifying client income. Subject to annual monitoring. Terms and conditions in a Recipient Service Agreement signed by both the grantee and the City will apply.
Homeless Services Funds
All Homeless Services applications must align with the City's Homelessness Priority Platform and its focus on addressing needs of people experiencing homelessness and residents with unstable housing. Funding supports these activities:
- Sheltering
- Supportive Services
- Prevention
About $270,000 of competitive funding is available for Homeless Services activities each year from the City's General Fund. Homeless Services grants run for two years, from October to September each year.
Homeless Services funds mainly go to direct service staff salaries, program expenses and direct client assistance. These funds generally do not pay for administrative salaries or other operating needs. However, up to 10% of the grant award may be used for indirect/admin costs. Another 10% may be used for discretionary direct client assistance needs.
Homeless Services Grantee General Requirements
The City reimburses expenses within 45 days of receiving financial invoices and beneficiary reports. Organizations must send spending reports every three months and program reports every six months. They must also track client income and demographics. Some programs may be exempt from verifying client income. Subject to annual monitoring. Terms and conditions in a Recipient Service Agreement signed by both the grantee and the City will apply.
CDBG Public Service Funds
A limited number of programs that align with certain HUD Consolidated Plan goals and can meet significant federal compliance and record keeping requirements will be selected to receive multi-year federal CDBG Public Service funds.
All CDBG Public Service applications must align with these HUD Consolidated Plan goals and related activities:
- Provide emergency sheltering and services
- Provide housing stabilization services
All other sheltering, homelessness and human service programs will apply for funding in their respective application categories described above.
About $175,000 of funding supports CDBG Public Service activities each year. Grants are awarded as a percentage of available CDBG Public Service funds. That allocation ratio stays consistent throughout the grant term.
CDBG Public Service grants run for five years, from October to September each year. CDBG Public Service funds mainly go to direct service staff salaries/benefits, program expenses and direct client assistance. These funds generally do not pay for administrative salaries or other operating needs. However, up to 10% of the grant award may be used for indirect/admin costs.
CDBG Public Service Grantee General Requirements
The City reimburses expenses within 45 days of receiving financial invoices and beneficiary reports. Quarterly expense reports and quarterly program reports are required, including client income verification and demographic tracking. Some programs may be exempt from verifying client income. Subject to annual monitoring. CDBG Public Service grantees in good standing must complete an annual renewal application in subsequent years (2026-2029). Terms and conditions in a Recipient Service Agreement signed by both the grantee and the City will apply.
Public Facility Funds
Definition: Space for agencies that provide direct services to low- and moderate-income clients living in Fort Collins.
Requests will not be considered in the Housing category. Public Facility requests may be considered in the Human Services category. Emphasis and priority for these funds are for direct service.
Questions?
Grant Process / Application / Presentations / Decisions
Contact us at: humanservices@fortcollins.gov.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. All venues for participation in this process are fully accessible. Please call 970-416-4254 for assistance. Auxiliary aids and service aids are available for persons with disabilities.
V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado to call 970-221-6757. All materials or translators are available in Spanish or other languages on request. Please call 970-416-4254 or email titlesix@fortcollins.gov.