COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The annual 'Point-in-Time' survey was conducted on Wednesday in downtown Colorado Springs. Conducted by Homeward Pikes, Pikes Peak United Way and Catholic Charities, the survey measures homelessness in the Colorado Springs area.
"It's a big, spread-out city," said Anne beer of the Pikes Peak United Way. "Our homelessness and poverty hide in Colorado Springs. So something like this kinda gets the word out to people of how big the problem is. Our effort is to count the number of homeless people that we have on a given day in January."
Last year's number of homeless reached 1,127. That included 241 individuals considered severely mentally ill, 119 victims of domestic violence, and 230 veterans. The numbers for 2013 are trending up.
"Right now we're thinking it's a little bit higher than last year," said Beer. "But we don't have enough affordable housing in the community to move people rapidly into housing. So that's a focus of our efforts this year."
The data compiled is used by non-profits and charities who provide homeless assistance. Most of those who receive assistance shelter are appreciative, because they understand the realities of the alternative.
"It's bad...it is not good," said Carol Smith. Smith is considered an "at-risk" adult. At one time she was homeless. "It's dangerous. I seen where a man was found under the bridge recently. Um, I was heart-sick at that. They're prey. Not only from outsiders, but from their own."
But compassionate hearts like Anne Beer are hoping things can change.
"We have worked very hard over the past many years to address the problem and there are some pretty amazing efforts going on now to assist more people," said Beer. "So I think we're getting better."
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