Loveland residents urge council to back proposed resource center as public comment period opens

Public comment at the start of Tuesday’s special Loveland City Council meeting centered on a proposed homelessness resource center and shelter, with a string of residents and faith leaders urging the council to approve the plan and critics raising safety and neighborhood‑suitability concerns.

Ben Nelson, who identified himself as a Ward 1 resident, told the council he supports using a framework similar to a recently announced model (he called it the 'Grama Pass' framework) and asked whether Loveland would match that model’s shelter and funding provisions. "Please support the proposed resource center and shelter," Nelson said, framing the site as a "proverbial fire station" that responds to crises such as medical debt, addiction and predatory landlords.

Reverend Melissa Saint Claire (Ward 2) said the proposed 2047 Resource Center at 2000 North Lincoln Avenue "is more than we could have dreamed of," citing community engagement sessions in which staff and a Homeward Alliance coalition presented data, and saying the center would restore dignity to residents who became homeless while living in Loveland. Saint Claire told councilors the statistic shared at a community engagement meeting — that "80% of our unhoused neighbors lived in Loveland before they became homeless" — was presented by Homeward Alliance and city engagement staff.

Other supporters included Nikki Moss, a Third Ward resident who described current housing instability and offered to help fund affordable housing options, and Kathy Bullard, who shared personal experience of a short spell of homelessness and urged council action.

Several public commenters voiced objections or raised caution. Lenny Figueger (Ward 4) warned that a "wet shelter" could increase violence and drug markets near children and senior residents adjacent to the proposed site. He suggested alternate locations and argued the city should plan separate units and services to match distinct needs. Steve Lynn, who said he had been the target of a councilor’s request to police, invoked First Amendment concerns about calls for police action against public commenters.

City staff did not respond to public comment beyond acknowledging speakers and noted the council will consider the resource center formally at a proposed hearing next week. The council did not take a vote on the center during the meeting; public comment closed before the scheduled agenda items began.