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Homeward Pikes Peak is currently raising funds to support case management for the Housing First Program. This program seeks to combat chronic homelessness by treating both causes of chronic homelessness: substance abuse and mental health. Traditionally, homeless seeking help are told by a substance abuse counselor to seek treatment for mental health issues, and are then told by the mental health practitioner to stop drinking first. Needless to say, most stop seeking help.

The Housing First Program seeks to help individuals by providing assistance with both problems simultaneously. We have two case workers serving 30 high-risk individuals to stop the cycle of homelessness. Clients are provided with housing and intensive case management; and as the program progresses, many are able to take on part time jobs and move on to self sufficiency.

(In the fall of 2010, ten of our clients moved on to Section 8 Housing, moving on to lives of self-sufficiency and opening ten spaces for others to be served.)

Emergency treatment costs over $54,000 per year, per chronically homeless individual, for police, fire, EMS, and Emergency Room care. The Housing First program costs $18,000 per person per year, with $7,500 of that from a federal HUD grant and the remaining $7,500 provided in local matching services. The final $3,000 needs to be raised locally. In any event, this program is incredibly cost-efficient and results in a significant yearly savings for taxpayers, not to mention restoring the gift of hope and better mental and physical health to clients who frequently present to us in a state of despair.

Defeating homelessness is compassionate and it's a great investment in our community. It's the right thing to do! Please help us to help the homeless while we save you tax dollars. Donate today!

Homeward Pikes Peak is qualified through the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation and the State of Colorado for Enterprise Zone Tax Credits

Your minimum gift of $250 will qualify you for the Enterprise Zone Tax Credit:

These donations for the Housing First program can be made by a check payable to “El Paso County Enterprise Zone” and mailed to:

    Homeward Pikes Peak

    518 North Nevada Avenue

    Colorado Springs, CO 80903

We will forward them to the appropriate county office, which will mail you your exemption certificate.

Executive Director:

Bob Holmes

bobholmes@ppunitedway.org

719-955-0731