COLORADO SPRINGS — Addressing issues like affordable housing for the homeless also requires the right kind of support toward independence.
For example, homeless teens and young adults are better served with a course correction that can prevent habitual homelessness.
“We need housing that can meet different people in different places where they're at in their life,” said The Place/Launchpad, CEO, Becky Treece.
The soon to be completed Launchpad apartment housing on Colorado Springs westside is limited to young people 18 to 25.
It is housing with counseling and support programs on site.
Homeless programs for youth are typically approached differently than those for other segments of the homeless population.
The goal is to guide youth toward independence before homelessness becomes a lifestyle.
Treece said, “Getting that safe roof over your head is step one. It is really hard to address the other things going on in your life, study for a test, go to your appointments, whatever it may be, if you're worried about where you're going to sleep tonight.”
A build like the Launchpad required creative funding and years of planning.
There is excitement about the addition of the 50 new units while at the same time the number of young people needing a place to stay is closer to 150.
“The reality is, in Colorado Springs, more young people are falling into homelessness than we are placing into long term housing solutions,” said Treece.
Construction of the Launchpad project is moving forward quickly.
The plan from completion is early 2025.
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