Sam and Itty-Bitty Find Home Together

The Outreach team first met Sam at Farr Park, where he was living unsheltered and facing serious health challenges. After nearly a decade of experiencing homelessness in and around Greeley, Sam connected with our Outreach team and was added to the housing placement system, which connects people to housing resources. 

The team worked closely with Sam for several months; helping with securing documents, medical referrals, and basic needs. Eventually, Sam was identified as one of the most vulnerable individuals in our community needing housing with supportive services.  He was matched to Star Rise Permanent Supportive Housing. 

Before move-in, Sam was provided shelter through a hotel and the outreach team supported him through the voucher process. They even helped certify his beloved dog, Itty-Bitty, as an emotional support animal so they could stay together. 

Today, Sam is one of the first residents at Star Rise, now living in a fully furnished unit with access to on-site services like peer support, therapy, and life skills classes through North Range Behavioral Health. 

This story not only highlights the success of helping another community member obtain housing but also the collaboration among the agencies providing services in Greeley. Each year, 160 individuals are identified as chronically homeless in our community. The longer people remain in the system, the more likely they are to become chronically homeless, leading to more complex and costly interventions to resolve their homelessness. Sam’s journey is a reminder of how early, coordinated support can change lives and reduce long-term challenges.