Homelessness Ali Rahimi Jasmine Carreon What is Homelessness

Homelessness Ali Rahimi & Jasmine Carreon

What is Homelessness? Define by the Department of Health and Human Services: an individual who lacks housing (without regard to whether the individual is a member of a family), including an individual whose primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility (e. g. , shelters) that provides temporary living accommodations, and an individual who is a resident in transitional housing. ”

The Myth & Facts v Myth: They are to blame for their situation. v Fact: Many are victims of circumstance, illness and trauma from violence or abuse. Roughly 30% of all homeless persons are children. About 73% of all homeless persons experience mental illness, domestic violence or other barriers to stable housing. v Myth: The homeless population is transient, migrating to cities with the best services. v Fact: 88% of Utah’s homeless population lived in Utah when they became homeless. v Myth: Most are single men v Fact: Single men comprise 29% of Utah’s homeless population while 44% are parents and children. v Myth: People who are homeless stay homeless for a long time v Fact: Only 3% of Utah’s homeless are chronically homeless or experience homelessness for long periods of time. Of those experiencing homelessness, 57% of single adults, 33% of families and 71% of young people stayed in shelter less than 2 weeks during 2012.

Survey’s and key individuals Utah demographic, local areas & Salt Lake Valley • Average ranged around 35 • Common reasons for homelessness was loss of job/career, drug addiction, and lack of support • Education ranges from HS diploma to college degrees • Most have families or kids • (Insert your key individual) • Lee Thompson

Current rate of Homelessness in Utah 2013 Annualized homelessness estimate: 15, 093 2013 Homelessness as % of area population: 0. 55% 2013 Total number of homeless school children: 11, 856 Total number of school children living in motels, shelters, or in places not meant for habitation: 1, 034 • Total number of school children doubling-up or living without adequate facilities: 10, 822 • Total number of school children as a percent of the 2012 fall enrollment: . 19% • •

Take action & make a difference! • Volunteer at your local soup kitchen • Donate food, money, or time to cupboards and homeless shelters • Donate to the SLCC Bruin cupboard to help students who may be experiencing homelessness Homeless Youth Resource Center 655 S. State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 364 -0744 Homeless Outreach Program 447 West Bearcat Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84115 (801) 631 -7584

Resources • Department of Workforce Services jobs. utah. gov • COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON HOMELESSNESS 2013 • Surveys based on research around local community and Salt Lake area • Nationofchange. org/Homelessness-Utah