DENVER — A new report from Common Sense Institute (CSI) finds that Colorado ranks among the highest states in the country for homelessness and that it’s not housing affordability that’s driving it, it’s illicit drug use, crime rates, and policing levels.
The report examines 2024 homelessness data across all 50 states and the nation’s largest metro areas.
The CSI reports finds that Colorado ranks:
- 9th nationally in total homelessness rate
- 7th in chronic homelessness
- 10th in unsheltered homelessness
- 7th in homelessness involving severe mental illness
- 7th in homelessness involving chronic substance abuse
Among the nation’s 50 largest metro areas, metropolitan Denver ranks:
- 5th in total homeless population
- 6th in chronically homeless individuals
- 4th in homeless individuals with severe mental illness
- 4th in homeless individuals with chronic substance abuse
Denver7 anchor Shannon Ogden spoke with the lead on the report, Dustin Zvonek, CSI Homelessness Fellow, and former Aurora city councilman…