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Mesa County Leads State in Reducing Homelessness

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Feb 8, 2013 at 7:42 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2013 at 8:02 PM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo.- Colorado is calling Mesa County a leader in ending homelessness.

Mesa County was the first in the state to conduct a vulnerability survey, which identifies each homeless persons needs and abilities to help move them in a more positive direction.

Organizations like the Grand Junction Housing Authority, Homeward Bound, the Department of Human Services, and the Catholic Outreach, are being recognized by the Governor's office on how much of an impact they're making to our community.

"Identify the need and addressing the needs of homeless veterans; we just want to learn from Grand Junction," said Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia.

Since the vulnerability survey was taken last March, 71 people now have a home and 87 percent of the housing vouchers are being utilized.

"It's just phenomenal, it just depicts what we do in Mesa County and Grand Junction," said Bill Pitts, Mayor of Grand Junction.

"There's so much assistance out there, but it's just letting people know that it's available," said Richard Nye, veteran.

Out of the 427 surveys conducted, 89 of those homeless folks were veterans.

"If you recognize that there's an issue and then commit as a community to addressing it, you can make great strides. We need to do that as a state," said Garcia.

One veteran who has lived at a Catholic Outreach housing facility since it opened, says without it, he could be living on the streets.

"I could be living out underneath a covert, in a ditch next to a river," said Nye.

With the support and encouragement Nye receives through the many organizations, he says he's a lot to be thankful for.

"I've got neighbors and good friends, so I'm home," said Nye.

Saturday Feb. 9, there's a benefit to raise money for the Catholic Outreach, Agape Food Bank, and Child and Migrant Services.

The 2013 Ice Bowl Disc Golf Games starts at 11:30 a.m. at Riverbend Disc Gold Park in Palisade.

It costs $25 to participate. There will be an after party and a silent auction at the Peach Street Distillery.

Since 2005 the golf club has raised over $45,000 for local nonprofits.

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Disgusted said on Friday, Feb 8 at 11:29 PM

For a democrat hack politician to commend The Peoples Republic of Mesa County on its faux attempts to reduce homelessness while unemployment is at 8.6% is possibly the most repulsive self-serving flim-flam I have ever seen in these pages. If anything he should give each and every homeless person a personal apology for the way his party purposely destroyed the economy all so a democrat hack could have a no-show cush job at a Denver university. The arrogance and lack of empathy is simply revolting beyond belief!

Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 9 at 4:42 AM

You need help.

Dillard Jenkins said on Saturday, Feb 9 at 12:54 PM

Disgusted, is there anything at all that doesn't disgust you? Please, name just one. Your life must be full of misery for you never have a positive word to say about anyone or anything.

Upset said on Saturday, Feb 9 at 5:04 PM

I kind of have to agree with Disgusted on this one. But I think this a pandemic nationwide thanks to the communist in the white house. And sadly thanks to his communist actions and views the problem will get worse.

Just Say-In said on Saturday, Feb 9 at 6:24 PM

All at the cost of Officers on the streets answering calls for service and tax payer money being used by the thousands to clean up the atrocity of a dump created by these dirty, filthy animals all along the river banks, on private property and last 2 years a great increase in crime. Specificlly homicides and assaults with weapons.

BLM said on Tuesday, Feb 12 at 5:36 PM

Let's not stop laying the blame for homelessness on the president. Hell why not the apocalyptic weather, the pope's resignation, cancer and your attitude as well. Life must look pretty bad to you wing nuts!

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