Addressing the Homelessness Crisis in Colorado

Colorado is facing one of the largest increases in homelessness across the country, with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reporting almost a 30 percent rise in the state’s unhoused population from 2023 to 2024. The point‑in‑time count rose from 14,439 to 18,715 in just one year, driven by soaring rents, the end of pandemic-era support, and growing economic uncertainty.

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The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) leads Denver’s efforts to address increasing housing instability by keeping essential housing and healthcare programs running despite long delays in city reimbursements. Their approach combines permanent supportive housing with integrated mental and physical healthcare, which has been shown nationally to reduce chronic homelessness and enhance long-term stability.

“The Coalition for the Homeless is focused on lasting solutions to homelessness. And so from our perspective, that means long-term affordable and supportive housing,” said Cathy Alderman, Chief Communications & Public Policy Officer with CCH.

Alderman mentioned that CCH owns and manages 23 residential properties comprising around 2,000 units of affordable housing. Some of these units also provide support services. “We’re also a healthcare provider. And so we operate as a federally qualified health center providing fully integrated health care. We do that through our clinic sites as well as through mobile units and street medicine teams. Essentially, what we believe is that housing is healthcare and that your health care is absolutely dependent on your housing status,” she said.

For David Heitz, who spent years experiencing homelessness, CCH’s combination of permanent housing and mental health support has provided him with stability he once thought was unattainable.

“I’m more stable now than I’ve been in many years, to be honest,” said Heitz. “When I was on the street, there was way too much stimulation for somebody that had mania and paranoia. I mean, I was constantly in a state of duress. I mean, it’s hell when you don’t have a roof over your head, and you’re outside. I mean, it’s terrible, you know? I can’t even describe how bad it is.”

Heitz noted that once he found shelter indoors, he no longer faced the overwhelming stimuli that triggered his paranoia or feelings of threat. He has battled mental illness for many years. “Part of the housing is healthcare. I mean, you automatically start to heal when you become housed,” he said.

Denver’s permanent supportive housing vouchers provide long-term rental assistance along with voluntary services for individuals experiencing homelessness or families with disabilities-a model that has helped stabilize residents like Heitz. However, he expresses growing concern about federal housing policy changes.

“The Trump administration wants to limit housing vouchers for permanent supportive housing which is what I’m on. I do worry a little bit because I do not make enough money to get a market-rate apartment,” he said.

A recent change in HUD’s funding priorities suggests potential cuts to supportive housing programs-adjustments that advocates argue could threaten crucial services enabling people like Heitz to regain their lives.

Sarah Parady from Denver City Council has emerged as an outspoken advocate promoting a more prevention-oriented approach toward homelessness based on rights-based principles. Her work emphasizes addressing root causes leading people into unstable living situations-especially eviction issues, wage theft concerns among workers, and insufficient legal protections for renters.

“They’re (the Trump administration) cutting housing vouchers. And of course we’ve had far fewer vouchers than we’ve had people who qualify for vouchers for decades. Like that’s been an ongoing problem. Cutting them just means essentially pushing people into homelessness,” noted Parady.” Adding two-year limitations gives off an idea that we have some kind of functioning economy where if someone’s in voucher housing for two years suddenly then they can come out of that and afford market-rate rent in Denver-that’s not reality at all! Market-rate rent costs way more than minimum wage here.”

Parady believes Denver should consider owning its own properties like federal government agencies historically did through local authorities: “The only way around potential voucher cuts is actually owning our own properties so we can set rents ourselves-sometimes referred to as social housing-but that’s where my office aims towards since it’s really our last option if feds step back from helping house those in need,” she argued.

On council initiatives she supports strengthening tenant rights while expanding eviction defenses alongside increased rental assistance-all vital elements aimed at preventing future instances where households might face homelessness before it happens altogether! She actively backs Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP), which provides legal aid along emergency financial assistance directly targeting those threatened by eviction notices seeking help immediately!

Doubled‑up Homelessness

When insecurity manifests within living arrangements such as friends’ couches rather than traditional shelters this situation becomes invisible beyond official statistics’ scope-often termed doubled-up homeless states occur when individuals lacking their spaces rely upon friends/family accommodations temporarily creating fragile safety nets rarely reported accurately via standard metrics</P.

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“Their definitions leave out experiences happening right under noses without proper documentation.”
Research highlights how common young adults feeling unsafe often resorted couch surfing over true outdoor exposure leading findings indicating heightened levels among ages fourteen-seventeen citing study revealing one-fourth experienced varying forms during twenty-one yet most remained undetected despite being counted only officially during annual tallies highlighting diverse expressions taken place throughout community settings at large!</P.

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“CEDPs interventions collided deeper layers surrounding crises left unnoticed particularly affecting marginalized populations especially youth facing challenges resulting instability trapping them behind walls meant protecting society instead ends up stifling progress!”< / P.

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Doubled‑up Experiences Hidden Beneath Surface

When navigating tumultuous terrain discovering safe havens proves difficult while searching resources needing attention hence efforts remain hidden slipping past scrutiny gathering momentum quietly away from prying eyes ultimately falling short recognition deserving thus requires deliberate actions bridge gap between what exists compared against societal expectations calling forth change urgently!</P.

The crisis surrounding doubled-up conditions remains widespread across Denver exceeding figures reflected officially recorded data identifying persistent youth demographics particularly prevalent amongst families enduring displacement necessitating urgent intervention adequate service provisions necessary tailoring solutions comprehensive manner aligning perspectives acknowledging roots underlying systemic factors exacerbating struggles communities encounter daily! In response existing initiatives strive encompass multifaceted strategies integrating culturally sensitive frameworks respecting lived realities connecting traditional approaches offering leverage ensuring sustainability overcoming obstacles faced fostering inclusion building resilience rather cultivating division detachment perpetuating exclusionary practices!n
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