Longmont City Council Explores Funding Priorities for Human Services

Council directs staff to focus on specific needs, including addressing family homelessness

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A serene oil painting depicting a family sitting on a park bench, their faces obscured by shadow, conveying a sense of isolation and vulnerability amidst the urban landscape.A pensive family scene in a public space reflects the human toll of Longmont's growing homelessness crisis.Boulder Today

Longmont City Council has directed the Human Services Department to explore focusing grant funding on specific priorities that align with the council's goals for 2026-2027, potentially narrowing the scope to better address pressing issues like family homelessness. The council discussed the city's current human services funding model and the challenges of balancing support for individual and family homelessness.

Why it matters

Longmont has been increasing its investment in human services in recent years, but demand continues to outpace available funding. The council's focus on prioritizing specific needs, including the reported rise in family homelessness, reflects an effort to make the most impact with limited resources and address the evolving needs of the community.

The details

At a recent study session, the Human Services Department presented data showing an increase in family homelessness in the St. Vrain Valley School District, as well as reports from local nonprofits about rising numbers of unhoused families seeking assistance. The council expressed a desire to find a funding model that does not divert resources from individual homelessness to address family homelessness, recognizing the complexity of the issue. No formal decisions were made, but the department is expected to return next month with additional information.

  • In 2026, Longmont's human services funding reached 3% of the general fund, totaling $2,914,231.
  • The number of homeless students in the St. Vrain Valley School District increased from 539 in 2021-22 to 899 in 2023-24.
  • The OUR Center reported 34 families in its housing stabilization program over the past 12 months, along with 10 additional unhoused families seeking resources between August 2025 and February 2026.

The players

Christina Pacheco

Human Services Department Director for the City of Longmont.

Eliberto Mendoza

Human Services Program Manager for the City of Longmont.

Crystal Prieto

Longmont City Councilmember who frequently works with the homeless population.

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What they’re saying

“The struggle is in trying to go 'a mile wide and an inch deep, or an inch wide and a mile deep' when it comes to assisting the homeless population.”

— Christina Pacheco, Human Services Department Director

“Finding out how many families are experiencing homelessness is difficult, because many homeless families don't report their situations to the city.”

— Crystal Prieto, Longmont City Councilmember

What’s next

The Human Services Department is expected to return to the Longmont City Council next month with additional information on funding priorities and strategies to address family homelessness.

The takeaway

Longmont's efforts to refine its human services funding model reflect the city's commitment to making the most impact with limited resources and addressing the evolving needs of the community, including the reported rise in family homelessness.