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In reply to the discussion: Do you believe that everyone deserves food and housing, regardless of ability to work? [View all]Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)"The story of how Utah solved chronic homelessness begins in 2003, inside a cavernous Las Vegas banquet hall populated by droves of suits. The problem at hand was seemingly intractable. The number of chronic homeless had surged since the early 1970s. And related costs were soaring. A University of Pennsylvania study had just showed New York City was dropping a staggering $40,500 in annual costs on every homeless person with mental problems, who account for many of the chronically homeless. So that day, as officials spit-balled ideas, a social researcher named Sam Tsemberis stood to deliver what he framed as a surprisingly simple, cost-effective method of ending chronic homelessness.
Give homes to the homeless.
Tsemberis research, conducted here in the District and in New York City, showed this wouldnt just dramatically cut the number of chronically homeless on the streets. It would also slash spending in the long run."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/04/17/the-surprisingly-simple-way-utah-solved-chronic-homelessness-and-saved-millions/