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Solution in the works to alleviate city's homeless population
Posted: 01.29.2010 at 5:26 PM
Rachel Welte

Rachel Welte is the Weekend News Anchor and a General Assignment Reporter.

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Homeless Camp  / FOX21: Rachel Welte
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A solution is in the works to help alleviate Colorado Springs homeless population.

The police department has teamed up with the Salvation Army to bus some of the homeless to other cities and states.

The Salvation Army recently received a grant from the El Pomar Foundation.

Officials there said they decided to devote a portion of it to buying bus tickets for the homeless and added they are also using money from their Christmas kettle drive.

"We discovered through the community meetings and through interviewing and talking with them, that there are a portion of people that do not want to be in Colorado Springs," County Coordinator with the Salvation Army Maj. Don Gilger said.

Gilger said the idea is not to sweep away the campers, but rather relocate them to places where they have support such as family, friends or a job.

As for how the homeless residents are being selected, three officers with the CSPD's Homeless Outreach Team are in the process of interviewing them.

"Part of it is not just sending people to random places, we are asking them why they want to go, where they want to go and what is there for them, and then we call and follow up," Officer Brett Iverson said.

So far Iverson said more than a dozen homeless are interested in the relocation program and added five have been bussed to cities such as San Diego, Corpus Christi and Birmingham.

The Salvation Army said they have enough money for around 25 to 30 people.

"It is really a win win situation, it is a great program, it is not a total answer to the homeless situation but it is a piece of the puzzle," Maj. Gilger said. "We do not want anyone to be cold living by the creek, we want them to be warm and taken care of, and if doing this will help them get there, then we will."

If you would like to donate to the Salvation Army click here.

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