Building Understanding, Strengthening Response: How Grand Junction, CO Came Together to Develop the Unhoused Survey, Needs Assessment and Strategy
Ashley Chambers, Housing Manager, City of Grand Junction
Published by the National League of Cities
Since 2023, Grand Junction, Colo. (pop: 65,560), has undertaken significant collaborative efforts to better understand and respond to the experiences of people who are unhoused in our community. Across nonprofits, healthcare providers, outreach teams, public agencies and residents, a shared goal emerged: to replace assumptions with real data, elevate lived experience and create coordinated strategies that match the scale of need.
Key Takeaways
Listening to lived experience fundamentally changed the community’s understanding of homelessness. By intentionally meeting people where they were and centering lived experience alongside data, the Unhoused Survey dispelled common myths, revealed the complexity of homelessness and highlighted both challenges and strengths within the unhoused community — creating a more honest and human foundation for decision-making.
Data and collaboration together created clarity and accountability. The Unhoused Needs Assessment and the work of nine cross-sector workgroups replaced fragmented efforts with a shared framework, common language and measurable goals. Improved data sharing, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) participation, and coordinated entry strengthened the community’s ability to respond strategically rather than reactively.
Sustainable solutions require systems change, not single programs. The work underscored that homelessness cannot be addressed through shelter or outreach alone. Long-term progress depends on coordinated investment in deeply affordable housing, behavioral health, outreach and prevention — supported by strong partnerships, ongoing public engagement and leadership that recognizes homelessness as a shared community responsibility.
This work resulted in three major community-driven initiatives: the Unhoused Survey, the Unhoused Needs Assessment and the development of a community-wide Unhoused Strategy & Implementation Plan. Together, these efforts have created a more accurate picture of local challenges while offering a roadmap toward meaningful, sustainable solutions.