Colorado Springs adding more homeless shelters to fill need

Homeless advocates in Colorado Springs say they're concerned about predictions by experts that the COVID-19 pandemic will increase homelessness between 40% and 45% nationally.

That fact is particularly worrisome because advocates confess they already lack enough resources to fully address the current level of homelessness.

But two projects -- one recently completed and another in the planning stages -- show that advocates haven't given up trying.

Homeward Pikes Peak recently announced a plan to build an apartment complex for chronically homeless military veterans, families and adults.

The project, called "The Commons," will be located near the intersection of Academy Boulevard and Uintah Street -- on the former property of the Castle West Apartments, which were destroyed in a January 2007 fire.

The fire was started by arson, left two residents dead and dozens homeless. Although having a similar facility would have been helpful to those victims, The Commons will have a specific clientele.

"We're going to be helping individuals who have mental illness, substance abuse and long-term homelessness for a variety of reasons," said Beth Hall Roalstad, executive director of Homeward Pikes Peak.  "On-site services will be integrated with their housing."

Roalstad said the $15 million project will start with 50 units and eventually build to 120; work could start in January and be finished in two years.

"We're going to combine private investment, dollars from our city of Colorado Springs, some funding from commercial lending and some funding from the state, and then all together that will create the capital to break ground and hire a construction company locally," she said.

Roalstad said an annual count of the homeless by the United Way identifies around 1,500, but that the actual number could be as high as 4,500 based on the number of people who seek services related to homelessness.

In late February, Homeward Pikes Peak had a hand in helping Family Promise of Colorado Springs acquire the old Stagecoach Motel on South Nevada Avenue.

The motel was renovated and converted into 16 units for families experiencing homelessness.

"Within 48 hours, after we opened, we were already at capacity," said Kat Lilley, Family Promise's chief executive officer. "Any time we have a vacancy, it's filled in under 24 hours.  There's a high demand for our shelter services. We have agreements to include four other nearby motel rooms into our program."

Family Promise operates two family homeless shelters in the city.

On Monday, Lilley and Roalstad explained what's being done to prepare for a possible increase in homelessness because of the pandemic.

"We haven't seen the wave yet but we know it's coming," Lilley said. "We try to prevent homelessness by providing rent assistance to families who are struggling financially before they become homeless. The churches can't do it all, especially since many of them have been closed during the pandemic."

"I'm worried about it and I can't imagine what it's going to be like," Roalstad said. "We're trying to help with rent assistance, too. We have to be proactive. I think we'll start seeing the wave in August and September after the COVID bonus on unemployment insurance expires."

Two residents at the new Family Promise shelter said the pandemic is directly or indirectly responsible for their homeless situations.

"I'm in school full time but there was a lull in between schools closing and going to online classes, so I lost my financial aid," said Kendra Cox a mother of two daughters. "There were some family things and I also didn't get my stimulus payment, so we lost our housing. If I go back to work, I lose my aid. I just have a year of school left. We're all trying to make the best of it."

Khadejiah Bigelow said that she, her partner and their infant daughter were evicted from their previous housing through no fault of their own.

"The virus hasn't made it any easier to find a job or to find permanent housing, but (the shelter) helps us as much as they can," she said. "We've been here since March and plan to be out into our own place by July. I'm thankful for this place. I don't know where we'd be without it."

Bigelow said her partner has a job but she was a full-time student when the pandemic hit, and can't afford internet access to do online learning.