Arapahoe County Homelessness Down 35% in 2026

Arapahoe County's annual Point-in-Time Count found 205 people sleeping outside, in vehicles, or in other unsheltered locations in January 2026, down 109 from 314 the previous year.

The 35% decline marks the first time in recent years that volunteers found no families without shelter on count night. Fourteen families were unsheltered during the 2025 count.

Unsheltered veterans dropped 46%, from 28 to 15. Youth sleeping unsheltered fell 67%, from 21 to 7. People newly experiencing unsheltered homelessness declined 63%, from 150 to 55.

In Aurora's portion of Arapahoe County, unsheltered people dropped from 190 to 140. That area accounts for 140 of the countywide total.

Arapahoe County opened two navigation centers in 2025 that provide low-barrier shelter, case management, and housing connections to unsheltered individuals across the metro region. The county also expanded emergency shelter and transitional housing capacity, with occupancy rising from 411 to 613.

"When we see more people in shelter, that's the system working," said Kathy Smith, community resources director for Arapahoe County.