The Faces of Fort Lyon

The Faces of Fort Lyon

Four Years of Innovative Transitional Housing and Substance Abuse Recovery for Colorado’s Homeless Populations

Las Animas, CO, September 21, 2017—The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless offers a sneak peek into “The Faces of Fort Lyon”—photos by Austin Cope from the Fort Lyon transitional housing and substance abuse recovery program in Las Animas, Colorado, which is a partnership with the Department of Local Affairs and Bent County. Since 2013, Fort Lyon has provided transitional housing and facilitated peer-based recovery from substance use for 798 homeless and at-risk individuals from across Colorado.

The complete “Faces of Fort Lyon” including stories of these individuals will be released in October, as well as the program’s fourth annual report. The innovative program uses several best practices including dual focus on addiction and housing, a trauma-informed care model, peer mentoring, and program flexibility that support the recovery of homeless and at-risk populations from substance use.

In fact, the Legislative Audit Committee hearing, held on September 19, 2017, released some key successes through an evaluation conducted by an independent auditor:

1. 71 percent of those who completed the program exited to permanent housing.
2. Of 49 participants assessed in post-program interviews, 55% of participants reported using no alcohol or drugs in the past 30 days.
3. Participants experienced a statistically significant decrease in anxiety and depressive systems, as well as statistically significant increase in quality of life, as they progressed through the program.
4. In addition to the success of individuals participating in the program, a beneficial cost analysis estimates 119 jobs and approximately $10.3 million of financial activity in the Bent County area for 2015-2016.

“We continue to be encouraged at the results the Fort Lyon Program helps individuals achieve, and this report demonstrates that the more days a participant stays in the program, the greater the odds that they will achieve success and permanent housing,” says Cathy Alderman, Vice President of Communications and Public Policy at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. “The flexibility of the Fort Lyon Program allows us to help unique individuals deal with their substance use disorders in a way that recognizes that one size cannot fit all.”

To view the full report, click HERE

About Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Since its founding over 30 years ago, the organization has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing and service programs. The Coalition’s comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to over 15,000 individuals and families each year. Learn more at www.coloradocoalition.org.

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