Tyler Duncan reports that Greeley’s housing and homelessness programs are staring at a 2026 squeeze. The proposed budget is not out yet, but staff point to weaker 2025 sales tax receipts and fewer building permits as the storm clouds that could force reductions.
City departments hoped a 0.5 percent sales tax hike would keep staffing and services stable and kickstart a year-round shelter. Voters showed little appetite, council shelved it, and now cuts are on the table, though leadership says nothing is final.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Revenue dip, budget jitters. 2026 plan not released, but lower sales tax and fewer permits in 2025 mean potential trims to city spending.
- Tax hike pulled. A 0.5 percent sales tax would have brought about 14 million dollars for Housing and Homeless Solutions. Polling tanked, council did not move it to the ballot.
- Cuts could bite. Without new money, Homeless Solutions warned of losing two-thirds of programming and 23 of 30 staff, plus 5 of 8 in Housing Solutions. Leadership stresses this is not locked in.
- Shelter handoff incoming. United Way runs the largest shelter now, seasonal with 60 beds for more than 540 people, and is willing to go year-round if the city funds it. This is United Way’s final year in direct ops, so the city will manage until another group steps in.
- Outlook is cautious. A councilmember says a year-round shelter is needed, but given the budget, progress may stall over the next year. First 2026 budget draft arrives in September, approval slated for October.
My Bottom Line
It is a bad look for a County Commissioner to inject their opinion into a city’s operations. So I will not. I will note what this story shows and ask the question that keeps getting ducked every time someone says, “we need to do something about homelessness.” Who is “we”? If “we” is always government, then the mission has drifted. Government can play a role in case management, partial funding, and facilities. It should not carry the entire solution on its back.
The article makes it plain that United Way is stepping away from direct shelter management. That means the city of Greeley inherits the keys until another organization steps up. Where is the church? Where are the ministries that claim a calling to the lost and the least? If faith communities will not lead, city hall will keep trying to solve a soul-deep crisis with a spreadsheet and hope for a miracle in October.
Scott’s translation: stop outsourcing compassion to the general fund. The Church needs to clock in.
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness… to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house.”
Isaiah 58:6-7
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay.
Proverbs 19:17
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food… what good is it if you say, ‘Go in peace’ and do nothing?
James 2:15-16
