The challenge of housing instability and homelessness is growing in Weld County, a region uniquely defined by its mix of urban and rural communities. Northern Colorado’s population is rapidly increasing—the Colorado state demographer predicts Weld County’s population will double by 2035, from a current 331,895 to over 660,000 in just 14 years. Weld County was recently identified as the 4th most un-affordable housing market in the nation, and according to the US Census we already have a deficit of 3,866 units of affordable housing.

Even before the pandemic, Weld County was ranked as the U.S. region most likely to be on the verge of a housing crisis (Wall Street Journal, May, 2019), due to the area’s rapid acceleration of housing costs compared to pre-recession rates. This ever-increasing cost of housing combined with a job base that often does not pay a living wage is making more households unstable and at-risk of homelessness. In Weld County, 43% of renters and 24% of mortgage payers spend more than 35% of their income on housing, making them vulnerable to financial crisis.