Denver’s homeless population surged by over 30% in just one year, according to the latest annual count.
Denver’s Homeless Population Soars by Over 30%
Denver’s homeless population has experienced a staggering increase of more than 30% this year, according to the city’s annual count. The latest figures reveal that Denver now has a total of 9,065 homeless individuals, marking a 31.7% surge from the previous year.
The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s 2023 “Point in Time” count, released on Monday, includes both individuals staying at shelters and those sleeping on the streets. The count, conducted on January 30, also highlights a significant rise of over 50% in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time. Out of the total homeless population, 3,996 individuals are facing homelessness for the first time this year, compared to 2,634 individuals last year.
The number of first-time homeless families has also seen a dramatic increase, with 1,316 families affected this year, up from 597 families in the previous year, representing a more than 120% surge.
Gender Disparity Among the Homeless
Men are disproportionately represented among the homeless population in Denver, accounting for approximately 62% of the total, while women make up just under 37%, as per this year’s count.
The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, designated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, plays a crucial role in coordinating the municipal response to homelessness in Denver.
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While the “Point in Time” count only captures just over 9,000 homeless individuals, the actual number throughout the year is estimated to be close to 28,000, according to Dr. Jamie Rife, the executive director for the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative.
Dr. Rife emphasizes the need to understand the real-time experiences of those facing homelessness and to respond effectively. He attributes the dismal results of the homelessness count to the lingering effects of the pandemic and inflation.
“While the world is no longer in a pandemic, we are beginning to feel the full economic fallout of the COVID-19 era,” said Dr. Rife. “With COVID-19 relief funds for the prevention of homelessness coming to an end, as well as many other COVID-era protections, we’ve seen a sharp increase in the number of eviction filings as more households struggle to pay rent. This, paired with inflation and the increased cost of housing, is resulting in many people falling into homelessness and many being unable to obtain housing.”
Last week, Denver’s newly elected mayor, Mike Johnston, declared a state of emergency on homelessness within 24 hours of taking office. The mayor unveiled a plan to house 1,000 homeless individuals by the end of the year, which includes constructing more tiny homes on city property.
Denver is not the only city grappling with a worsening homelessness crisis. San Francisco has been plagued by a homelessness and drug crisis, accompanied by rampant crime, for years. The situation has only deteriorated further since before the pandemic, with approximately 38,000 homeless individuals in the Bay Area on any given night, marking a 35% increase since 2019. San Francisco itself is home to over 7,000 homeless individuals.
Similarly, Los Angeles has witnessed a 10% rise in homelessness, with Los Angeles County’s homeless population reaching about 75,518 people, up from 69,144 in 2022. In the city of Los Angeles alone, the number of homeless individuals has surged to approximately 46,260 people, compared to 41,980 people in the previous year.
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