El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition

The Situation

13% – The rise in the number of homeless residents in Colorado (2015 to 2016)
24% – The rise in number of homeless veterans in Colorado (2015 to 2016)
$20,000 – The cost to taxpayers per homeless person per year to leave them on the streets instead of helping them find housing
$5,000,000 – The total estimated cost to enforce decriminalization of homelessness in Colorado (2010 to 2014)

The Response

Each October, the El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition (EPCHVC) conducts a one-day “Stand Down” to assist homeless veterans followed by a multi-day Transitional Housing Initiative (THI) to assist homeless veterans and their families. Both events provide immediate assistance and support towards obtaining viable solutions to their particular homelessness situation.
 
Stand Down Assistance / Services
Clothing (jackets, jeans, shirts, boots, shoes, underwear, long johns, socks, gloves, scarves), backpacks, personal care items, a hot noon meal, haircuts, hot showers, flu shots, Hepatitis C testing, dental/foot/hearing exams, shelter and housing referrals (VA and Rocky Mountain Human Services), counseling, VA Medical care, Veterans Administration, job search support, substance abuse services, assistance with DD-214 military service discharge documents, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Department of Human Services, Springs Rescue Mission, Peak Military Care Network and Mr. Carmel Veterans Service Center.
 
Transitional Housing Initiative
The EPCHVC attempts to identify homeless veteran family for a Transitional Housing Initiative (THI) specifically designed to immediately take a homeless veteran family unit off the street, remove several major barriers to improving the family unit’s living conditions and get the family unit into safe housing situation where they can be together as a family. EPCHVC provides the homeless veteran family a safe and secure place to stay, including meals, transportation, assistance with navigating supporting agencies, and mentoring.