Survey says Grand Junction homeless population rising

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - 14 percent higher than Denver, 75 percent higher than Boulder, and 165 percent higher than Colorado Springs. These are the numbers compared to Grand Junction’s homeless population.

In a workshop, the city council discussed the findings of a recent survey on unhoused needs. The goal of the survey was to find and create possible solutions to address and fix the valley’s growing homeless population.

Data from the survey shows an increase in Grand Junction’s homeless population by about 43 percent from 2021 to 2019.

The percentage of unhoused people without shelter in Grand Junction sits at 60 percent of the total unhoused population. Those experiencing chronic homelessness makes up 70 percent.

Of those currently experiencing homelessness, hundreds are a part of District 51. Over 800 students and over 400 hundred families in D-51 are facing homelessness or housing insecurity.

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