Understanding Patterns of Response to Rising Homelessness: Perspectives from Two Western Communities

As homelessness rises across the U.S., there is growing pressure on localities to develop strategic responses; however, there are limited policy tools and resources available to effectively design homeless response systems to meet the growing need. Small cities within the Mountain West are often service hubs for broader rural regions, putting an additional demand on resources. Few studies characterize the unique contexts within which homeless response systems operate or capture the perspectives of those with lived experience of homelessness in the region. This qualitative study applies a comparative analysis of two Mountain West cities and their response to rising homelessness. Findings highlight how amenity-based population growth and rises in unsheltered homelessness have generated enormous practical and political demands on the homeless response systems that serve both the immediate urban population and surrounding rural regions. Insights informed recommendations regarding the governance structures and service gaps that shape community responses.