A generation ago, homeownership was not reserved for the affluent. Working-class families bought modest homes on modest incomes. They built equity, raised families, and entered retirement with a valuable asset largely paid for.

Today, many Utah families find themselves in a different position. They may earn too much to qualify for housing assistance but too little to purchase a home. They rent apartments that consume an increasing share of their income while saving for a down payment becomes increasingly difficult.

A recent KUER article critically examines The Other Side Academy (TOSA), focusing primarily on former participants who describe the program negatively and questioning the philosophy behind therapeutic communities. Every institution should be subject to scrutiny, and TOSA is no exception. But after reading the article, I was left asking a different question: Why is this level of scrutiny almost never applied to the homelessness industry itself?

Hofmann was brutally murdered by blunt-force trauma and asphyxiation in his own apartment at Phillips Plaza by Bentley Estelvin Scow. He admitted to the murder shortly after he was detained for shoplifting, believing police were detaining him for the murder he had recently committed.

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4th, communities across the country are looking for meaningful ways to commemorate the milestone. Fireworks, parades, concerts, and patriotic ceremonies will undoubtedly play a role, but one of the most ambitious yet simple initiatives is centered around something nearly everyone can relate to—sharing a meal.