The Salt Lake Tribune has run a series of articles and editorials focusing on the homeless situation in our state. The latest consensus: Recent efforts to address homelessness have been less than life-altering and, by most accounts, cannot be measured for the lack of metrics that have been established for monitoring the effect that newly instituted efforts have on this situation.
The state and its populace can take solace in the fact that an attempt is being taken to meet the needs of the less fortunate. However, until fundamental changes have been made at the federal and state level, homelessness will continue to burden the purse strings and conscience of society.
These changes include: establishing a living wage for all, affordable housing, elimination of food insecurity, access to higher education and vocational training, affordable health care that covers physical and psychological needs, a justice system that emphasizes rehabilitation over incarceration and outreach programs that help communities establish these services.
As each state pools money to address homelessness, developing strategies at a national level to change how we perceive and address homelessness becomes crucial. Without an overarching policy and national effort, state efforts will remain a piecemeal approach to ending homelessness.
Brent Larsen, Millcreek