Annual homeless count begins in Colorado Springs

Trying to count the number of homeless people in a community is challenging when many of them prefer to keep a low profile.

But that’s what officials in the Colorado Springs area began doing Monday for the 13th consecutive year.

The United Way joined other social service agencies in the annual Point in Time survey. It is part of the agencies’ 31 Days on Homelessness designed to raise awareness.

Officials said they counted 1,073 homeless last year and around the same number in 2014.

“We still have a long way to go,” said Shawna Kemppainen, of Urban Peak and Continuum of Care. “But we’re finding fewer people unsheltered, fewer chronically homeless people and more veterans in housing.”

Kemppainen said for every 100 low income residents, there are 16 available shelter beds, compared to 30 beds nationally.

Officials said a lack of long-term shelter and affordable housing are the biggest obstacles to making a lasting impact on reducing homelessness.

“Those are two of out top three priorities,” said Jason Wood, United Way’s president and chief executive officer.

The greatest priority, he said, is to find a cold weather shelter next winter to replace the Salvation Army shelter on Weber Street. The shelter has housed more than 150 people on the coldest nights of the past two years.

“It’s not because of a lack of resources,” Wood said. “It’s that the building will no longer be available. We expected that when it opened.”

Kemppainen said the area needs another 250 shelter beds.

She said the count isn’t a perfect solution, but it is the best way to attempt to count the homeless and determine what services they use and need.

The survey doesn’t include pandhandlers, who are an ongoing source of criticism and controversy.

“They may or may not be homeless,” Kemppainen said. “There’s really no accurate count of who among that group is homeless or not homeless.”

Homeless gathering places, such as the Marion House soup kitchen, began handing out surveys Monday. Participants received a bag of necessities and treats.

Among the participants was Freddie Smith, 57. He moved to Colorado Springs from Las Vegas a year ago and said he lives in a recreational vehicle with no utilities.

“They (agencies) do a good job of finding me places to live,” Smith said. “But I have trouble getting in, because I have a criminal record, and landlords don’t want to rent to me. I’m wasting money on background checks. I’m trying to be optimistic. I have everything else I need except a place to live. How long do I have to pay a debt to society?”

Kemppainen said there’s been increases in the numbers, diversity and planning of people trying to reduce homelessness.

However, she said the area still needs more public-private partnerships.

“Denver just announced a homeless plan with more than $8 million in partnership money,” she said. “They’re bigger than we are, but it’s the kind of partnership we need.”

Officials said the count is part of a nationwide effort that will provide results to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and, ultimately, to Congress.

The count also is an opportunity to highlight area service agencies for their work.

The month-long event includes the showing of a homeless documentary, a panel discussion, tours of service facilities and even a poverty simulator.

Officials said they also want low-income people to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which could offer them free tax preparation and a lower income tax.

“We know that many people are one step away from being homeless,” Wood said. “It might be because of an unexpected medical bill, loss of a job or a car repair. It changes how everything works financially in a family.”

For more information, visit: http://www.ppunitedway.org