Utah Homeless Services Board: Temporary shelter isn’t enough. To truly help the chronically homeless, we must focus on trauma.

For those who have suffered trauma and the ongoing deprivation of human dignity, we cannot expect them to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” — first, they must be given boots before they are set along the path toward recovery.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A homeless camp is pictured next to the Jordan River across from Cottonwood Park in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 29, 2024. The city has initiated a general obligation bond project at the park, actively engaging with the community to gather ideas on enhancing the space.