Recently, Utah has been working on ending homelessness in their state, and they are doing that by giving homes to the homeless.? They have been in the process of doing this for the last eight years, and homelessness should be eradicated by 2015.
How are they doing it?
The state is GIVING AWAY apartments, no strings attached. Madness! This is utter madness! The least of these, the moochers, are just having things handed to them! THEY ARE NOT WORTHY! (Please note.. I am being sarcastic. This is a most worthy endeavor and is one that should be applauded).
What led to this?
In 2005, the state calculated the annual cost of E.R. visits and jail stays for the homeless, and it was found to be at 16,670 dollars (per person) while providing an apartment and a social worker would only cost 11,000 dollars per person.
Side note:
People get a social worker to help them become self sufficient. Even if they fail, they STILL get to keep their apartment.
What are other states doing?
Wyoming is one of the states that is hoping to follow in Utah’s foot steps. They have seen their homelessness double in the last three years and they are only able to provide shelter for 26 percent of that population. That is the lowest rate in the country.
Casper, Wyoming city officials are now trying to implement a plan that follows the idea of Utah’s Housing First program.
This is an investment into the citizens of the country and of those who are in need. For a country and society to thrive, the people need to be invested in more than anything. With the people come infrastructure, and building of the country itself. This is essential to society. Other states are picking up the idea and hopefully this idea will spread state to state. Our homeless need the help, and this could also help cost in helping them.
Edited/Published by:SB
