El Paso County homeless count: Behind the numbers

A closer look at the annual homeless count for El Paso County shows a steady increase but not the overwhelming number that some residents expected.

The Jan. 28 count of 1,551 homeless people represents an increase of just under 10 percent, and is generally in line with increases in previous years.

Andy Phelps, homelessness coordinator for Colorado Springs, said that when considering homeless as a percentage of total population, the area has a lower ratio than Pueblo and Denver.

“We’re about average for a city of our size,” he said. “The reason why we’re seeing more homeless people is the overall local population is increasing, and I think we’ll see that for a few more years. It hasn’t leveled off yet.”

The count also shows a decrease in the number of homeless people from outside the county, which goes against the common perception that legal marijuana attracts more homeless people to the area.

Phelps admits that a complete count of the homeless is hard to obtain because many don’t cooperate or are unaware of it.

“But this year we had more volunteers counting,” he said. “We’re getting better at finding more of the homeless.”

By next year, Phelps said, the opening of two new affordable housing projects will make a noticeable difference in reducing homelessness.

“We also can use more (general) shelter beds,” he said. “On the night of the count, all of the beds at the Springs Rescue Mission were taken. We had other beds available, but they were in shelters that have restrictions against alcohol, drugs or prohibited behaviors.”

Phelps said a public summary of the count providing more in-depth information will be ready this summer.