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How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

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Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#11

Post by ktRolster »

austenallred wrote: post #8

I'm confused by this. My brother has an office in downtown SLC near the Rio Grande building, and it's pretty clear when I visit him that there are hundreds of homeless people living in that neighborhood alone. Pioneer Park is also covered in homeless people. If that is less than 200 people either I don't understand what "homeless" means or something is... off. How does one define "chronic homelessness?" I really want…

Not every homeless person is chronically homeless. A lot of homeless people have skills (so don't look down on them), but they're going through a rough time. After a while, they pick themselves up, go into rehab or whatever, and become non-homeless again.

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#12

Post by theophrastus »

austenallred wrote: post #8

I'm confused by this. My brother has an office in downtown SLC near the Rio Grande building, and it's pretty clear when I visit him that there are hundreds of homeless people living in that neighborhood alone. Pioneer Park is also covered in homeless people. If that is less than 200 people either I don't understand what "homeless" means or something is... off. How does one define "chronic homelessness?" I really want…

Having relatives in city government I have overheard that Utah's proud achievement was accomplished by "adjustments made to their demographic surveys". And that this was seen as a very economical solution to the problem.

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#13

Post by suresk »

It was interesting to hear about this, then drive down Rio Grande street or around Pioneer Park and see the massive tent cities and tons of homeless people. Things got really bad downtown the last year or so.

I wonder if this is a case of Salt Lake doing such a good job that homeless from other states were attracted here?

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#14

Post by binxbolling »

austenallred wrote: post #8

I'm confused by this. My brother has an office in downtown SLC near the Rio Grande building, and it's pretty clear when I visit him that there are hundreds of homeless people living in that neighborhood alone. Pioneer Park is also covered in homeless people. If that is less than 200 people either I don't understand what "homeless" means or something is... off. How does one define "chronic homelessness?" I really want…

FTFA:

"In fact, Utah still has a substantial homeless problem. The overall homeless population is around 14,000.

The chronically homeless, on the other hand, are a subset of the homeless population that is often the most vulnerable. These are people who have been living on the streets for more than a year, or four times in the past three years, and who have a "disabling condition" that might include serious mental illness, an addiction or a physical disability or illness."

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#15

Post by broAhmed »

austenallred wrote: post #8

I'm confused by this. My brother has an office in downtown SLC near the Rio Grande building, and it's pretty clear when I visit him that there are hundreds of homeless people living in that neighborhood alone. Pioneer Park is also covered in homeless people. If that is less than 200 people either I don't understand what "homeless" means or something is... off. How does one define "chronic homelessness?" I really want…

_Chronic_ homelessness is what's been reduced.

From the article:

"As of 2015, the state can just about declare victory: The population of chronically homeless people has dropped by 91 percent."

...

"In fact, Utah still has a substantial homeless problem. The overall homeless population is around 14,000."

"The chronically homeless, on the other hand, are a subset of the homeless population that is often the most vulnerable. These are people who have been living on the streets for more than a year, or four times in the past three years, and who have a "disabling condition" that might include serious mental illness, an addiction or a physical disability or illness."

...

"By implementing a model known as Housing First, Utah has reduced that number from nearly 2,000 people in 2005, to fewer than 200 now."

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#16

Post by douche »

Karunamon wrote: post #9
austenallred wrote: post #8

I'm confused by this. My brother has an office in downtown SLC near the Rio Grande building, and it's pretty clear when I visit him that there are hundreds of homeless people living in that neighborhood alone. Pioneer Park is also covered in homeless people. If that is less than 200 people either I don't understand what "homeless" means or something is... off. How does one define "chronic homelessness?" I really want…

One thing that sticks in my mind after a business trip to SLC (SaltConf last year) were the ubiquitous red signs urging people to turn away panhandlers. If people actually take notice, I'd be willing to bet this results in the problem being hidden a lot more than it is in some other cities. The admittedly surface impression I got was that the city is hostile to the homeless.

I was very disappointed that ordinances to restrict panhandling in medians were overturned in Portland, ME in recent years. There's no need of that. If you are willing to work, there is always work to be done for a decent wage, (although possibly less than the absurd level minimum wage has climbed to).

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#17

Post by reflexorozy »

suresk wrote: post #13

It was interesting to hear about this, then drive down Rio Grande street or around Pioneer Park and see the massive tent cities and tons of homeless people. Things got really bad downtown the last year or so. I wonder if this is a case of Salt Lake doing such a good job that homeless from other states were attracted here?

This survey says... maybe. http://www.sltrib.com/home/5030908-155/rio-grande-homeless-a...

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#18

Post by suresk »

Karunamon wrote: post #9
austenallred wrote: post #8

I'm confused by this. My brother has an office in downtown SLC near the Rio Grande building, and it's pretty clear when I visit him that there are hundreds of homeless people living in that neighborhood alone. Pioneer Park is also covered in homeless people. If that is less than 200 people either I don't understand what "homeless" means or something is... off. How does one define "chronic homelessness?" I really want…

One thing that sticks in my mind after a business trip to SLC (SaltConf last year) were the ubiquitous red signs urging people to turn away panhandlers. If people actually take notice, I'd be willing to bet this results in the problem being hidden a lot more than it is in some other cities. The admittedly surface impression I got was that the city is hostile to the homeless.

Doubtful. I used to work in downtown SLC and would get hit up for cash 5 or 6 times per day. Far more than when I've visited other cities like San Francisco or New York. Even in the suburbs, you've got people sitting at the Target parking lot exit begging for money.

I don't think anyone pays attention to the signs.

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#19

Post by richmarr »

suresk wrote: post #13

It was interesting to hear about this, then drive down Rio Grande street or around Pioneer Park and see the massive tent cities and tons of homeless people. Things got really bad downtown the last year or so. I wonder if this is a case of Salt Lake doing such a good job that homeless from other states were attracted here?

They're focused on the chronic homeless, so there's still a problem even before proposing migration caused by this.

Re: How Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness

#20

Post by _m8fo »

ebiester wrote: post #7
_m8fo wrote: post #3

I wonder if better/more accessible health care would eliminate homeless as a side effect. It seems much of the homeless in Boston, anyway is mental health/health related. I doubt anyone will say that what Utah did here is bad , but you have to wonder what's preventing a more comprehensive solution (the answer is politics, but ideally you'd get a more specific answer).

Some yes, some no. Let's remember that mental health care is not as easy as a magic pill. It can take months to stabilize someone. Someone with schizophrenia may have difficulty staying on a regimen. (The side effects are bad in many cases, and the drugs aren't a magic cure.) Some people would do best in a psychiatric ward more permanently, for example, but that's including housing. Bipolar treatment can stop working…

I agree with you, but (most) people don't start off homeless in life, so what factor(s) make people homeless? I bet one of the top ones are health reasons.
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