If the homeless abatement policy and program were designed to help the homeless to find a more secure place to camp or stay, perhaps this $1-$2 million per year cost to Salt Lake City taxpayers could be justified. But it could be argued that the opposite is true. The cruelty of moving unsheltered people and families from empty lots who have nowhere else to stay is essentially … [Read more...]
Investigating Homelessness Death and Public Safety in Utah
Housing costs have risen sky-high in Utah. Many are priced out of the market. Just what is the city doing to help those who have become recently homeless? They are “abating” them. Eric Peterson from the Utah Investigative Journalism Project recently wrote an article for the Salt Lake Tribune concerning the exorbitant costs of homeless abatements in 2021. Peterson appeared on … [Read more...]
New York Times Journalist Appalled by the Homeless Situation in Salt Lake
We Are Humans, Plead Salt Lake's Homeless Population New York Times photographer says Salt Lake City’s ongoing efforts to clear out homeless people are inhumane and unnecessary. Five years ago, the New York Times sent journalists to Salt Lake City to report on the deteriorating homeless situation and particularly on Operation Rio Grande. Robin Pendergrast was sent on … [Read more...]
Is There a Homeless Serial Killer on the Loose Who The Salt Lake City Police Department is Refusing to Investigate?
In Utah Stories' ongoing interviews with unsheltered homeless individuals, we learned from two homeless people that up to several dozen homeless people have been murdered in the past eight months. Is this true? As of Friday, July 27th, The SLCPD is refusing to speak about or provide any statements about the rumored homeless murders occurring in downtown Salt Lake … [Read more...]
Priced Out of the Rental Market Utah: Single Homeless Mother Explains Difficulty of Current Housing Crisis
The current rental market is pricing people out who are ending up on the streets. Downtown Salt Lake City homeless camp at 700 West 200 South: Kevin and Brooke are trying to stay hydrated and cool despite the 105-degree record-breaking heat. Both were gainfully employed when they found themselves priced out of the housing market, unable to get into affordable … [Read more...]
The Magnolia Apartments: The new Homes for the Homeless are a “Complete Failure” According to an Inside Source
An inside source provides Utah Stories with an inside look into the reality of the Magnolia Apartments. Salt Lake City, along with the organization Shelter the Homeless, have been working to build “permanent supportive housing units for the chronically homeless”. The Housing First Model is an excellent idea in its basic theory: give temporary homes to the homeless first so … [Read more...]
Utah Homelessness Getting Out of Control: What are the solutions?
A conversation with Pioneer Park Coalition board Member Scott Howell and Catholic Diocese Director Jean Hill. It’s an untenable situation: more people camping on the streets; more people unwilling to enter shelters; more clearly insane people walking around the streets in downtown; all social services in Salt Lake City are maxed out. There are not enough social workers, beds, … [Read more...]
If Salt Lake City’s Homeless Had a Say in The over $20 Million Spent on Them
If Salt Lake City’s Homeless Had a Say in The over $20 Million Spent on Them, Here Is How They Would Spend it “I think there should be a shelter for both men and women, it’s not healthy to separate couples,” said Savannah who was living outside in a tent at the former homeless encampment called Fort Pioneer. She added, “Also, they need a place where they allow … [Read more...]
Homeless in Salt Lake City: The Worsening Conditions of the Chronically Homeless and Those Suffering from Mental Disorders
Editor's Note: This article previously incorrectly stated that the Geraldine E. King Woman's Resource Center was operated by The Road Home Organization. The Geraldine E. King Woman's Resource Center is operated by the Volunteers of America. The Road Home operates the Men's Homeless Resource Center, Gail Miller Resource Center as well as the Midvale Family Homeless … [Read more...]
Homeless Advocate Claims SLC Mayor Has a Conflict of Interest in Handling Homeless Situation
Salt Lake’s Largest Outdoor Homeless Encampment Shuttered and Abated A mini tent city was growing under the freeway on 700 West and 500 South. This encampment appeared to be a semi-permanent solution in an effort to relocate the homeless away from Main Street and the central downtown business district. Last November We reported how business owners were experiencing serious … [Read more...]