Sheltered homelessness in Denver has dropped to its lowest level in six years, even as overall homelessness across the metro continues to rise, the latest point-in-time (PIT) count released Monday shows.
The big picture: There were 10,774 people experiencing homelessness during this year’s count, an 8% jump from 2024, per data from the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI), which surveyed people across seven metro counties on Jan. 27.
- The overall rate of increase slowed “significantly” compared to previous years, per a statement from the MDHI, which credits improved coordination and Denver’s All In Mile High program for helping reduce unsheltered homelessness.
Why it matters: While fewer people are living on the streets, the data shows homelessness remains a persistent problem in Denver despite tens of millions of dollars annually invested to find a fix.
State of play: Roughly 80% of people surveyed during January’s count were considered sheltered, meaning they were staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing.
- The remaining 20% were unsheltered, referring to people living on sidewalks, in cars or parks.
Between the lines: Mayor Mike Johnston’s administration eliminated most large encampments in Denver through its rehousing program, bringing nearly 7,000 people indoors over the past two years by enforcing the city’s urban camping ban.
- His administration said it only conducted sweeps when shelter space was available, though that didn’t always prove to be the case.
Caveat: This year’s PIT took place during a frigid night, which likely affected the total number of people in shelters, per the Colorado Sun…