Denver officials say that overall homelessness in Denver is down for the first time in nine years. According to Mayor Mike Johnston, Denver saw a 12.5% decrease in overall homelessness between 2025 and 2026, marking the first documented reduction since 2017.
The numbers, compiled through the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s Point-In-Time Count, found 518 people living on Denver streets during a single January night earlier this year. That number represents a 64% reduction in street homelessness from 2023 and the lowest on record since county-specific data became available during PIT counts in 2017.
But some of those who work with the homeless disagree with the count. And on their comments on the Westword Facebook post of the story, readers have another explanation for any decrease in Denver: Homeless individuals are moving to other areas. Says Robert:…