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I recently walked to a concert in downtown Salt Lake City along with other concert-goers. As we approached the venue, a man on the street indicated he was a veteran and asked if people would give him money or buy him a meal. One of the concert-goers complained that this was the third time in two days that he had been approached and that something needed to done about the homeless situation. Many people feel this frustration.
The good news is that things are being done. I am hopeful that things will change because our community organizations are working collectively to solve the drug-dealing and issues facing the homeless community in downtown Salt Lake City.
For those who are homeless, they most likely faced some kind of tragedy in their life, whether it was abuse, sickness or a job loss. Many of the homeless have jobs but don't make enough to pay for housing. During my term as Salt Lake County mayor, our government supported and continues to support the Homeless First initiative to provide people with housing first and then worked on the problems that may have caused their homelessness. Now, as board president of Catholic Community Services of Utah, I see those who dedicate their lives every day to helping those in need. They come from Catholic Community Services, Volunteers of America, the 4th Street Clinic, churches and other organizations.
There are many ideas of how we can support our homeless community. This conversation has been happening for years on various levels. What I see now more so than in the past is collaboration. No longer are people waiting for others to find a solution. Everyone, including businesses, non-profits, government, citizens, have finally come together to solve this important issue.
Collaboration not only makes sense from a humanitarian standpoint but also from an economic standpoint. When great minds and their collective funds come together, we can and will solve the issues that face our community.
However, these organizations are limited in their funding. All the citizens of Utah must also help. The HOMES Initiative (the combined County and City Homeless Commissions) asked for $27 milling during this Legislative Session for new and upgraded homeless facilities with the end goal to minimize homelessness. These funds will go a long way to improving the lives of the homeless and make our communities safer and more livable. As constituents, we appreciate the efforts of our legislature. The legislature set aside over $9.5 million in this year's state budget. We hope they will fund the remaining $17.5 million over the coming years.
I encourage the community to reach out to their legislators to thank them and request that they fully fund this effort to improve our community, both for the homeless and those who go downtown.
Peter Corroon is board president of Catholic Community Services of Utah, which operates the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall and the Weigand Homeless Resource Center in Salt Lake City.