Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers:
Many people want to help the homeless but don’t know how other than giving food, clothing, snacks, or a few dollars which is important but does not remedy the causes of it, but merely treats the symptoms of it. A correct understanding of the root causes and backstory to their story helps us engage with them in compassionate and meaningful ways. Some are willing to share their story but not until you spend time with them and show them you are sincere in your desire to help by giving them something of value first. *Remember, they are living in a scarcity/hoarding mindset and an unsafe environment where they trust very few people. So let’s dive in…
Q: What causes homelessness? Is it because of life circumstances outside of their control, bad luck, or poor choices & bad behavior?
A: Homelessness is caused by several things simultaneously— mental health struggles, lack of medication and therapy, drug & alcohol addiction, and poor life choices. It can also be caused by circumstances thrust upon them (i.e. losing a job, divorce, family estrangement, loss of health, high medical bills, poor parenting or lack of positive role models, cultural failings, generational homelessness, incarceration, attachment-disorders, poor coping & emotional regulation skills, gang life, lack of education, and various barriers to housing and employment. These and other factors are why so many live on the street. *In Salt Lake City alone, there are nearly 5,000 people living on the streets–-some as long as 26 years!
Q: If homelessness doesn’t affect me or my family directly, then why should I care and get involved?
A: Homelessness impacts you in ways that you don’t realize. Tax increases to fund homeless programs including hiring more police officers to deal with it affects you and your discretionary spending. Additionally, increasing crime (drug dealing, prostitution, robbery, and vandalism) occur at higher levels, which then affects insurance rates, having dirtier streets, unsafe neighborhoods, and parks. Home values and rental properties are also affected. Everyone loses with this problem.
Q: Why should I give my hard-earned resources to people that don’t have any direction or drive in life? Isn’t that just enabling them by giving them free stuff?
A: We can answer that from an ethical point of view (standards of right and wrong established by a community), a moral one (personal beliefs about right and wrong), a religious standpoint (all major world religions teach about helping the poor & needy), a philosophical point of view (is helping the weakest among us the wise, right, and compassionate thing to do? And, what would WE want if the tables were turned?). Lastly, we can approach it from an economic standpoint (in the long run it is cheaper to change minds, hearts, and lives through proper education and effective wrap-around services so that they can become self-sufficient and stop being a drain on society as a whole. Instead of being mere consumers, they can become gainfully employed and begin paying taxes into the system that we all do. As the saying goes, “you get what you pay for” is true for tools, schools, and people-programs. The upfront costs to buy something better will end up saving money in the long run by not having to replace it as often. Additionally, getting one generation off the streets significantly decreases the chances that their family will follow. Having citizens–not just government programs doing the heavy lifting–will benefit the giver as well as the receiver and strengthen the community in unified fashion and become a model for other cities and states to follow. We truly ARE a city set on a hill…
Q: What are their biggest needs besides housing & food? Don’t shelters give them a place to sleep, meals, and free clothing?
A: They need lots of things–-showers, laundry facilities, toilets, and working drinking fountains especially during the hot summer months. They also need education and something to spark their creativity and develop existing talent. They also need adequate health care and prescription medication which is currently unavailable to them because of the risk of abuse or being trafficked on the street. Next, they need/want/crave social interaction with others who won’t judge, ignore, or be repulsed by them. The “human-connection” is just as true and necessary for them as it is for each of us. If we don’t get it, we shrink and shrivel emotionally and socially. Humans are wired for social connection. People involved in 12-step programs go primarily for human interaction & engagement, and secondarily for instruction. When the heart feels, the brain heals.
Q: Will putting them in some form of public or private housing solve the problem?
A: Yes & No. Merely putting people in an apartment without necessary life-skills and changed thought processes and behaviors often backfires and gets them kicked out of their housing and back on the streets again. Education and behavior modification is key. They also need structure, purpose, and accountability to a consistent and trustworthy mentor or program.
Q: Why can’t city leaders just force them into a rehab facility where they can get the addiction-recovery skills they need along with wrap-around services?
A: Government leaders can’t “force” anyone to seek change in their lives–that is something that has to come from within and not from an outside entity. This would also be a breach of civil rights. Also, unless change is actively sought, many will rebel against the 12-step programs that have failed them before. Lastly, who in society is willing to pay the exorbitant costs associated with inpatient rehab facilities that range from $15,000 –40,000 a month?! That approach is both cost-prohibitive and likely to fail because achieving sobriety takes much longer than a month locked away in a group home or retreat. Thoughts, attitudes & behaviors must change at their pace, not ours.
Q: Why doesn’t Salt Lake just build a big facility and put them all there?
A: They are planning on building one starting in 2026 (see https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/10/29/utah-governor-says-homeless-campus-is-most-compassionate-approach-not-like-nazi-concentration-camp/ ALSO https://www.ksl.com/article/51383386/homeless-facility-proposal-near-north-salt-lake-sparks-opposition-public-safety-concerns )
There are several pros & cons that need to be considered–*see https://prospluscons.com/pros-and-cons-of-housing-first/
See the following articles:
https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2025/08/11/fixing-chronic-homelessness-fragmentation-services
https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/youre-not-angry-enough-about-homelessness-in-america
*Note: According to state officials, Salt Lake hopes to model their upcoming facility after the highly successful facility in San Antonio, Texas called “Haven For Hope” (https://www.havenforhope.org/)
