FORT COLLINS, Colorado – The innovative partnership between Housing Catalyst and Fort Collins Police Services has been recognized with an Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). This national recognition honors outstanding innovators and achievers in housing and community development. This is the second award this year for the two agencies, who also received a 2024 Colorado & Mountain Plains NAHRO Partnership Award.
Since opening its first Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) community in 2015, Housing Catalyst has learned it takes a strong network of partners to provide the right supportive services for residents. One vital and potentially unexpected partner is Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS). The relationships between people who have experienced chronic homelessness and emergency services personnel can sometimes be fraught, so Housing Catalyst and FCPS have worked intentionally to build trust.
“Through our close partnership with Fort Collins Police Services, we’ve developed meaningful trust that directly benefits our residents, creating a safer and more supportive community for everyone involved,” said Daniel Covey, Housing Catalyst’s Manager of Supportive Housing and Community Partnerships.
The partnership has had tremendous benefits for both residents and staff. Housing Catalyst conducts training sessions for new patrol officers, focusing on Permanent Supportive Housing, Trauma-Informed Care, and Harm Reduction. In turn, the FCPS Mental Health Co-Responder Team provides training for Housing Catalyst staff on de-escalation and crisis response. This cross-training ensures both teams are equipped with the skills and understanding necessary to support this population effectively.
“Addressing multi-faceted issues like affordable housing requires a significant amount of time and resource availability,” said Fort Collins Police Chief, Jeff Swoboda. “The solutions cannot be found in one single path or solely carried out by one agency. When we all bring together our unique strengths and expertise, the burden becomes easier to bear for all, and we can truly make a meaningful impact on our community.”
Fort Collins Police Services hosts annual trust building events at Housing Catalyst’s PSH communities, Mason Place and Redtail Ponds. Past events have included barbecues, food trucks, and coffee carts. These informal gatherings allow residents and officers to get to know one another outside of a crisis setting. Not only do residents become familiar with the officers who serve in their community, but officers get to know residents and their stories.
“Fort Collins Police Services’ annual events at Mason Place and Redtail Ponds foster trust and rapport between officers and residents. These casual events allow for meaningful connections outside of crisis settings, leading to stronger relationships that are invaluable during times of need,” said Covey.
The partnership ultimately helps residents feel safe and seen, even in moments of crisis. As officers become more familiar with the needs and backgrounds of PSH residents, they are better able to build trust through positive interactions. Proactively building trusting relationships has made situations that require a police presence less disruptive. Responding officers are no longer anonymous strangers in uniforms; they are community partners who have shared a cup of coffee with residents.
“Peace officers are not just individuals in uniform, but they are first and foremost human beings,” said Swoboda. “We all share the same concerns for personal safety and the well-being of our family and friends. From that most basic desire comes our drive to build trusting relationships with the community we serve. And we strive to do that in many ways.”
Housing Catalyst and FCPS hope this award will inspire other communities to pursue innovative partnerships to address the challenges surrounding homelessness. Collaboration among community partners makes it more likely that people who have experienced homelessness will be able to connect with the right resources.
“This partnership fosters a supportive environment where residents know they have reliable allies in both Housing Catalyst and FCPS. By working together, we are not only addressing immediate concerns but also creating a foundation of trust and security that empowers everyone involved. Housing Catalyst deeply appreciates the compassionate care demonstrated by FCPS toward our community,” said Covey.
About Housing Catalyst
For more than fifty years, Housing Catalyst has been building community in Northern Colorado. The agency addresses the growing need for affordable homes through innovative, sustainable, community-focused solutions—developing and managing residential properties, administering housing assistance, and coordinating community programs and services.
About Fort Collins Police Services
Fort Collins Police Services is a progressive and professional organization, currently employing 232 sworn officers and 137 non-sworn professional staff. Our vision is to make Fort Collins the safest community in the nation. We serve the community by protecting life and property, preserving peace and order, preventing and detecting crime, enforcing laws and ordinances, and promoting the safe, efficient use of the City’s streets and highways. Our values include respect, integrity, service, and engagement. Fort Collins Police Services emphasizes a comprehensive community-oriented policing strategy woven into all we do as the preferred means of addressing community needs.
