The surprisingly simple way Utah solved chronic homelessness and saved millions

[JDPriestly]

27. I worked for a homeless agency for eight years.

This concept became very clear to me: homeless people or most of them need homes. The answer is to provide them with safe places, safe homes or apartments to live in. Sober living facilities for many. Housing with counselors and guards (to keep out dangers, not necessarily to keep in the formerly homeless) for those mentally ill capable of living outside an institution.

I have a friend who was homeless for years. I did not meet her through the homeless facility I worked for but through an organization we both belong to.

She had no place to shower. She had to get to her shelter every evening before a certain time (but not too early) or spend the night on the street.

She looked homeless. She thought homeless. Her homelessness dictated all of her choices in life.

Finally, she qualified for housing, a Section 8 deal. (She was disabled.) And her life changed. She received SSI and squeezed every penny buying clothes from second-hand stores, food from the 99 cents store, etc. Over time, she became more and more elegant in her dress and she looks really good -- probably classier than I do.

What a difference a home can make.

Congratulations to Utah for having had the courage and willingness to do the right thing, the Progressive thing, might I add, to help the homeless.

A home and a bit of money can get a homeless person on the right track. Those with a history of drug or psychiatric problems need counseling (more often than once a month) and sober living housing and other help, but even they can lead lives of dignity. The investment is not all that great.

Living in a community in which the homeless are all around you is depressing. It's horrible to watch people suffer as the homeless do. And with really not that much effort we could end homelessness.