Point-in-time count finds 262 people experiencing homelessness in Natrona County; advocates call for more permanent supportive housing

Kelly Wessles, executive director of Community Action Partnership, presented the results of the Jan. 29 point‑in‑time count to the Casper City Council, saying the count recorded 262 individuals in Natrona County who lacked a reliable place to stay that night.

“This count is a floor. It is not a ceiling,” Kelly said, urging the council to treat the count as a minimum estimate and to consider the larger population of unstably housed people who are not captured by HUD definitions.

Kelly gave the following breakdown: 262 total individuals; 40 unsheltered (on the street, in vehicles or in structures not intended for habitation); 159 people in emergency shelter (principally at the Wyoming Rescue Mission); and additional individuals identified through behavioral‑health and justice systems. She said at least 23 people met the chronically homeless standard and 31 people were counted at intersections of behavioral health and justice systems.

Kelly said the count shows troubling trends: Native American residents are disproportionately represented among those counted, the number of unaccompanied youth and minors has increased (she said at least 10 minors appeared in the count) and school‑district McKinney‑Vento data (she cited 500–600 unstably housed students) likely understate the scale of housing instability because those students are not all captured in HUD point‑in‑time methodology.

She argued the community needs a range of responses, emphasizing permanent supportive housing (PSH). Kelly estimated the community needs roughly 90 additional PSH units and suggested about 150 transitional beds would also be useful. She described a five‑unit PSH program funded federally (about $60,000 a year for that program) and said PSH costs roughly $30,000 per household but can avert much larger crisis costs — she cited $75,000–$85,000 or more per person when repeated law enforcement responses, hospital stays and crisis services are required.

Councilors asked whether the jump from about 167 last year to 262 this year (a roughly 57% increase) reflects a real rise or improved counting. Kelly said three factors likely drove the change: better counting practices, increased data‑sharing with partners (including the mission), and outreach to re‑entry populations who may previously have been missed. She also said law enforcement participation during the count helped identify two people in immediate need who were diverted into detox and medical care.

Kelly recommended expanding PSH, strengthening coordination for people exiting incarceration or behavioral‑health treatment, investing in culturally appropriate services for Native American residents, and pursuing grants (including Bureau of Justice Administration and opioid‑related peer‑navigator funding) to support case‑management capacity.

Ending: Councilors thanked Kelly and asked staff to continue coordination with the housing committee and other partners; no formal vote or ordinance resulted from the briefing.