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Axios
29-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Report highlights scope of homelessness across Colorado
A first-of-its-kind report released Monday shows more than 52,000 people throughout Colorado sought homelessness services last year. The big picture: The Colorado Homeless Management Information System's inaugural report offers a broad look at a persistent issue most often associated with urban areas. The report stresses the need for collaboration across agencies to help curb homelessness. Why it matters: Homelessness is growing across the state — not just in Denver. A recent study from the Common Sense Institute suggests it spiked 90% statewide between 2020 and 2024, while a federal report noted families with children experiencing homelessness rose by 134% last year. State of play: Among those seeking assistance, nearly one-third were considered chronically homeless and 6% were veterans, per the COHMIS report. Most of the people who sought housing and services were single adults (82%) followed by families (9%) and youth (8%). More than half of the individuals experiencing homelessness have a disabling condition, which the report cited as one factor making it more difficult to maintain housing. Between the lines: Native American, Black, multiracial and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people experiencing homelessness are overrepresented in the COHMIS data. People of color represented 55% of those seeking services last year statewide Context: Among the four regional agencies that issued the report is the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI), which served the highest number of people in the state, per the report. The three other agencies collectively cover the rest of Colorado, tracking and coordinating services. The intrigue: Supportive housing, which provides low-income housing with additional services like health care, is listed as one solution with a proven track record. Lack of access to health care and supportive services can contribute to long-term and persistent homelessness. The report also highlights the Built for Zero movement, which brings together housing groups, doctors and government and has led to a 7% drop in veteran homelessness.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dueling approaches: Aurora and Denver clash over homelessness strategy
AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — A new report is reigniting debate over how to best address homelessness across Colorado, highlighting vastly different strategies from the cities of Aurora and Denver. The Common Sense Institute, a conservative-leaning research organization, recently released findings that claim Denver's 'Housing First' initiative is spending roughly $69,000 per year per homeless individual, while the overall number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise. Aurora: Twice as many encampments removed in first 3 months of 2025 than last year In response, Aurora leaders unveiled plans for a new facility grounded in a 'Work First' model. Their upcoming Regional Navigation Campus will include over 200 temporary housing units, available only to individuals who are working or actively pursuing employment. The city says the approach reflects a form of 'tough love,' aimed at long-term self-sufficiency. 'This is a very tough-love approach to helping people,' said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman. 'The evidence is that the housing-first model is just not working.' Coffman said he recently brought the city's plan to Washington, D.C., sharing the approach with members of the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Denver leaders are pushing back, not only against Aurora's strategy but also the data used to support it. City officials questioned the accuracy of the CSI report and stood by their existing model, which prioritizes getting people housed first. 'There's never been a bad idea out of Washington, D.C.,' said a spokesperson for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's office, responding to news of Coffman's visit. 'How are you going to stabilize your life if you don't have a place to sleep that night?' the spokesperson added. Aurora's mayor questions why Tren de Aragua impacts have been felt less in Denver Both cities agree that the homelessness crisis is worsening, but remain deeply divided on how best to solve it. While Aurora's new facility is slated to open in November, Denver officials say their focus remains on expanding supportive housing and regional coordination. FOX31 will continue to follow developments on both fronts as cities across the metro area seek solutions to one of Colorado's most urgent challenges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
20-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
Iowa's private school enrollment grows
Thousands of students have switched from public to private schools since the beginning of Iowa's new education savings account (ESA) program, according to the Common Sense Institute (CSI), a conservative-leaning public policy organization. Why it matters: The state's new law is helping more families afford alternative schooling options, CSI researchers say. Flashback: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law in 2023 allowing students to take public school funding allocated for them each year and use it toward private school tuition through a savings account. For the first two years, only kindergartners, public school transfer students and families earning up to 400% of the family poverty line (about $120,000 for a family of four) can apply for $7,800 annually to reimburse their tuition and education costs. Starting in July, ESAs will be open to anyone, regardless of income. How it works: Using data from the Iowa Department of Education, CSI researchers found that between 4,500 and 5,600 students who previously attended a public school switched to a private school after the ESA program started. They believe those students switched due to the program helping lower costs for families, which shows the program is so far a success, Ben Murrey, CSI's director of policy and research, tells Axios. By the numbers: Private school enrollment in Iowa is rising, while public school numbers have decreased slightly since the start of the ESA program, according to numbers from the state Department of Education. For the 2024-25 school year, 27,866 students used the ESA program; 7% of those students attended a public school the previous school year. Meanwhile, public school enrollment decreased by 0.6% between 2023-24 and 2024-25. Private school enrollment grew 60% between 2023-24 and 2024-25, going from 17,000 to 27,866 students. By 2026-27, the state estimates, 45,000 students will be using an ESA account. The other side: While the program may increase access for some Iowans, 44 rural Iowa counties don't have any non-public school options for students, says Melissa Peterson, policy director for the Iowa State Education Association, which advocates for public school staff.
