World Habitat Day observed Monday
Making affordable housing more available and providing more long-term shelter for the homeless are the focus of a special observance today.
Monday is the 30th anniversary of World Habitat Day, set aside to recognize the basic right of all people to adequate shelter and encourage action to end homelessness.
Local advocates say much has been done to provide more affordable housing and long-term shelter but the demand still greatly exceeds the supply.
For example, the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity says 4,000 people are on waiting lists for affordable housing in El Paso County but only around 12 homes are built every year specifically for the demand.
On Bunting Avenue in Fountain, six families live in Habitat homes and four other homes are under construction.
Habitat Executive Director Kris Medina says the nonprofit agencies, and several others with a similar mission, depend on corporate sponsors and donations to pay for building low-cost homes.
“The thing a lot of other communities have that Colorado Springs does not, is there can be a requirement for home builders to have a percentage of their homes be affordable,” Medina says. “So they get a tax credit towards that, as well.”
Advocates also say providing more permanent homeless shelters is difficult because of the cost of acquiring land, buildings and staff to manage shelter facilities.
But Aimee Cox, manager of community initiatives and economic vitality for Colorado Springs, says a plan is currently in the works.
“We’re working very closely with Springs Rescue Mission to build a campus that will provide 150 permanent shelter beds,” Cox says. “What they’re doing is re-purposing a few old warehouse buildings, remodeling those to provide shelter — as well as laundry, storage, day center for people experiencing homelessness.”
However, the effort comes too late for Joseph and Lisa Montoya. The couple lives in a motel and is frustrated about not finding an affordable house to live in.
“We’re looking to go back to Missouri where my dad is,” Lisa Montoya says. “We found a three-bedroom house for $500 a month. You can’t find that here.”
Local housing advocates hope to change that eventually.
