Homelessness in COS

It’s no secret that increased housing insecurity is being felt throughout the nation.

The economy, housing prices, rising rents, unemployment, the opioid epidemic, and mental illness are all weighing on individuals and families as they navigate their day-to-day lives. For many, these struggles lead to homelessness.

But while the U.S. saw homelessness increase as much as 18 percent last year, our community of Colorado Springs continues to make progress in caring for our most vulnerable neighbors. 

The Pikes Peak Continuum of Care's 2024 Point in Time (PIT) survey found that homelessness in Colorado Springs is now at a nine-year low. According to the findings, 1,146 individuals experienced homelessness on the night of the count (January 21, 2024). This is a decrease of 156 people from 2023, reflecting a 12-percent reduction.

"If there is one takeaway from these findings, "said SRM President & CEO Travis Williams, "it's that this community —by putting faith into action through generosity, praying for our homeless neighbors, and lending a helping hand however you can — make stories of hope and transformation possible.” 

The total number of homeless individuals in Colorado Springs has not been this low since the 2015 PIT Count, which showed 1,073 people experiencing either sheltered or unsheltered homelessness.

“Although the Point-In-Time is only one dataset,” Williams said. “It’s still fair to highlight that Colorado Springs is seeing success in addressing homelessness.” 

While these findings are encouraging, there remain 149 families (451 individuals) struggling on the streets and in shelters (Springs Rescue Mission does not serve families but instead focuses its efforts on adults without children). That’s a 12-percent increase over last year’s numbers.

“While we celebrate this community, its compassion, and its achievements, we can’t let it make us complacent,” Williams said. “There are still 1,146 of our neighbors — sons, daughters, sisters, brothers — who need our ongoing support to overcome homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Let’s keep going.”