While there’s more work to be done, Springs Rescue Mission credits faith, community and partnership in caring for neighbors. 

New data show that homelessness in Colorado Springs is at its lowest point in nearly a decade. 

The recent release of the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care's 2024 Point in Time (PIT) survey underscores the progress this community is making in addressing homelessness regionally. It provides crucial insights into the state of homelessness throughout Colorado — most notably encouraging news for Colorado Springs — and we want to share these findings with you. We believe you play a vital role in this work.

"If there is one takeaway from these findings," said Chief Development Officer 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. That’s what I believe these numbers highlight.”

Understanding the Numbers

The 2024 PIT Count revealed that 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% reduction.

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, it’s still fair to highlight that Colorado Springs is seeing success in addressing homelessness,” Williams said. “Consider these findings as an opportunity not to lose momentum. You’re making a real and tangible impact in your community.”

Among those counted:

• 259 individuals were unsheltered, meaning they were sleeping in places not meant for human habitation, such as outdoors, in cars, or in abandoned buildings. This is a significant decrease from last year (down by 115 people or 31 percent) and is at its lowest point since 2015 — down by a whopping 50 percent from a 2018 high of 513.
• 887 individuals were sheltered, staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing, both of which Springs Rescue Mission provides. This includes 537 people in emergency shelters (a decrease of 18 from 2023) and 350 in transitional housing (a decrease of 23). This count is at its lowest since 2015 (830) and is down 30 percent from its 2022 high of 1,176.

Highlighting Vulnerable Subpopulations

The PIT Count also sheds light on vulnerable subpopulations experiencing homelessness:

• 74 youth, aged 16-24 and unaccompanied, were experiencing homelessness, a decrease from 83 last year.
• 89 military veterans were counted, a reduction of 26 from 2023.
• 206 seniors (55 or older), including 53 people over the age of 64, represented a decrease of 81 from last year.

Celebrating Your Impact

In the year leading up to the January 21^st PiT Count, Springs Rescue Mission made significant strides in combating homelessness. With support from the community, SRM:

• Successfully housed 221 individuals and supported 37 through our transitional housing programs, the highest such numbers in its nearly 30-year history.
• Launched our first women’s residential addiction recovery program, providing a crucial new resource for those in need.
• Created a dedicated space for our guests' pets, recognizing the vital role animals play in their lives.
• Restructured our programs to enhance your impact, making services more effective and accessible for those we serve.

Your generosity has been the backbone of these accomplishments. Despite economic challenges, your commitment has allowed us to continue providing essential services.

Keeping Up the Momentum

As we look to the future, we remain hopeful and committed to walking alongside those we serve.

Although homelessness in our city is down, there are still 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.”

Your continued support is crucial in our shared journey to heal trauma, overcome addiction, and reunite families in our city. There is always more work to do, but we can continue to make a meaningful difference in our community and help transform the lives of our neighbors in need.

For more information about Pikes Peak Continuum of Care's 2024 Point in Time (PIT) survey, visit www.ppchp.org/homelessness/coc-reports-and-resources.

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