PRESS RELEASE: Metro Denver Homeless Initiative Releases 2025 Point-in-Time Count Data
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2025
Jason Johnson
Executive Director
Metro Denver Homeless Initiative
jason.johnson@mdhi.org
Coordinated efforts yield promising results as sheltering and housing strategies show impact
DENVER, CO - The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) released the results of the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, an annual survey that captures the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January across the seven-county Metro Denver region. The data reveals that while overall homelessness has increased slightly in the region, there are clear signs that coordinated approaches are working. More people are accessing shelter rather than sleeping outside, and fewer people are experiencing homelessness for the first time. "Homelessness is solvable—we've proven what works," said Jason Johnson, Executive Director of MDHI. "The 2025 PIT count data reinforces what we already know: when we invest in coordinated, evidence-based solutions and work together across systems, we see measurable results. Our success in reducing veteran homelessness by 30% in Metro Denver over the past four years demonstrates this clearly."
Key Findings
● Flattening rate of increase: While the total number of people experiencing homelessness in the Metro Denver region increased from 9,997 in 2024 to 10,774 in 2025, the rate of increase has slowed significantly compared to previous years.
● More people in shelter, fewer sleeping outside: The number of people in emergency shelters and transitional housing increased from 7,058 in 2024 to 8,625 in 2025, while the number of people sleeping on streets, in cars, or other places not suitable for living decreased from 2,919 to 2,149. This shift demonstrates the success of expanded shelter capacity and cold weather shelter initiatives.
● Decrease in newly homeless: The region saw a notable decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time, from 3,535 in 2024 to 2,992 in 2025, suggesting that prevention efforts are making an impact.
Cold Weather Shelter Success
This year marked the first winter season where no individuals died from cold-weather exposure while sleeping outdoors in the Metro Denver region. Expanded cold weather shelter capacity in Denver and Jefferson counties proved vital in providing life-saving resources during dangerous winter conditions. "Access to safe shelter is not just about comfort – it's about survival and creating pathways to permanent housing. We simply cannot help people rebuild their lives if they don't survive the night," said Johnson. "These results clearly show that when we open resources for people experiencing homelessness, they use them." Research consistently shows that coordinated approaches to homelessness are not only effective but also fiscally responsible. Every $1 invested in Housing First coordination saves $2 or more in hospital, emergency, and police costs, while saving over $10,000 per person annually in healthcare costs.
Regional Progress
The City and County of Denver's "All In Mile High" initiative, launched by Mayor Mike Johnston, has contributed to a decrease in the number of people forced to sleep outdoors within Denver, with more people accessing shelter services than in previous years. Across Jefferson County, expanded cold weather shelter options have significantly reduced the number of people sleeping outside during dangerous winter conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of regional collaboration. Douglas County achieved functional zero for veteran homelessness in November 2024, proving that with the right coordination and resources, communities can effectively end homelessness for targeted populations.
The Path Forward
The data comes as Colorado continues to face significant housing challenges. According to the State of Homelessness Report, over 52,000 people in Colorado needed help with housing in 2024. More than half of people experiencing homelessness have a health condition that makes daily life more difficult, and the housing system isn't working for everyone—to rent a two-bedroom apartment, someone would need to work more than two full-time jobs at minimum wage.
"Now is not the time to reduce investments in proven solutions when over 52,000 Coloradans needed housing help last year," said Johnson. "Every dollar we invest in coordinated housing approaches saves taxpayers more than two dollars in reduced hospital visits, emergency responses, and police interactions. We've proven homelessness is solvable—we need to continue investing in what works to efficiently help more people find stable housing."
MDHI continues to work closely with housing groups, healthcare providers, government agencies, and local communities as part of Colorado's Built for Zero movement, which focuses on making homelessness rare and brief. The Built for Zero approach uses real-time data to guide decisions and track results, ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively.
To see the complete 2025 Point-in-Time Count report, visit MDHI.org/PIT.
For more comprehensive information about homelessness in Colorado, visit the State of Homelessness Report at COHMIS.org/SOH2024.
Sources
Cost savings of Housing First in a non-experimental setting, 2020
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MDHI is the Metro Denver Continuum of Care, the regional system that coordinates services and housing for people experiencing homelessness. This includes prevention/diversion, street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. MDHI works closely with each county in its continuum (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson) to build a homeless crisis response system that gets people back into housing as quickly as possible. Learn more at mdhi.org.