Point In Time Counts Show Mixed Results Across the Front Range of Colorado
September 9, 2023
Results from Colorado Point in Time (PIT) counts have been released, and the numbers show an increase in overall homelessness in the Denver Metro area, an overall decrease in Colorado Springs, and a decrease in homelessness for Veterans in both cities.
What is the PIT Survey?
This data is then used to raise public awareness, inform public funding decisions, and increase community collaboration.
Denver Area Sees Overall Increase in People Experiencing Homelessness
This year, the initial PIT count conducted by The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) indicated that in the Denver metro area, 9,065 people were counted, a 31.7 percent increase from 2022.
Notably, while the overall rate of homelessness increased in Denver, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness decreased. According to Deidre Smith, the RMHS Associate Director of the Homes for All Veterans Program, there has been a coordinated effort across the state to house veterans in the past few years, leading to a 30 percent decrease in Denver veteran homelessness in the past 2 years.
PIT Results in Colorado Springs Show Decrease in People Experiencing Homelessness
In Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care’s (PPCoC) PIT count found that overall homeless rates reached their lowest levels since 2016. In 2023, they counted 1,302 people experiencing homelessness, 10 percent less than in 2022.
Veteran homelessness rates in Colorado Springs also went down in 2023, decreasing by 23 percent compared to the past year.
About Homes for All Veterans
Rocky Mountain Human Services’ Homes for All Veterans (HAV) program works throughout Colorado to support veterans and their families who are at risk of becoming homeless or who are currently experiencing homelessness to find permanent housing. The HAV team has worked to house hundreds of at-risk veterans in emergency shelters with the help of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
For more information about our Homes for All Veterans Program, contact HAVreferrals@rmhumanservices.org.