A Snapshot Of Homelessness : The 2020 Balance Of State Point In Time Count
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless recently released the 2020 Point-in-Time (PIT) results, showing that 840 individuals were experiencing homelessness on the night of the count in the Balance of the State region- covering 54 non-metro and rural counties of Colorado. This includes all counties outside of metro Denver (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson County), Colorado Springs (El Paso County), and Northern Colorado (Larimer and Weld County).
OMNI has partnered with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless since 2018 to support the PIT, an annual count of people experiencing homelessness that takes place across the country every January. The PIT is required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with the goal to count every person who meets the HUD definition of homelessness. This includes anyone living in an emergency shelter, transitional housing, or with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
On the night of the count, service provider staff and volunteers administered the PIT survey forms to people experiencing homelessness throughout the state. As Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’ data partner, OMNI manages the data entry, analysis, and reporting of the PIT data. OMNI also provides guidance around instrument design and updates the survey to align with HUD standards. Data from the count is not only used for tracking, but is also used to inform the distribution of homeless assistance funds and inform policies that prevent and address homelessness.
As we continue to see the devastating impacts from COVID-19, we know that there will be disproportionate consequences for our unhoused neighbors. Here in Denver, there have been 205 confirmed cases due to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness[1].The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that homeless individuals with COVID-19 are twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times more likely to need critical care, and two to three times more likely to die compared to the general population [2]. Additionally, physical distancing regulations put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19 have made it more difficult for unhoused individuals and families to find shelter, compounding the effects the pandemic is having through evictions and high unemployment rates. [3]
While this report is only a snapshot in time from before the pandemic, it highlights that access to housing is not just a challenge for urban communities in Colorado. As we look ahead, the 2020 Balance of State PIT will act as a benchmark as we work to understand the breadth of impact the pandemic is having on unhoused individuals and families across the state.
[1] https://www.9news.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/latest-colorado-coronavirus-outbreaks-schools-restaurants-events/73-5b12b940-afdd-4838-b07e-706ec962bae8
[2] https://endhomelessness.org/resource/estimated-emergency-and-observational-quarantine-bed-need-for-the-us-homeless-population-related-to-covid-19-exposure-by-county-projected-hospitalizations-intensive-care-units-and-mortality/
[3] https://www.denverpost.com/2020/08/10/polis-evictions-executive-order/