Even though feeding the homeless shouldn't be illegal, it isn't the answer either. These people need homes. They need help getting off of drugs and get jobs. Food is important, but it's only the start. It takes great community leadership to be able to help these people. Dedication and forward-thinking are key to successfully changing the community for the better. That's what Mr. Pendleton and his team have done for these people in Utah.
Pendleton continues by saying when they realized how much it cost to keep these people on the street, they realized that there must be a more humane and economic way to help them. Their solution? Put these people in housing. As crazy as it sounds to put homeless people into homes, instead of $20,000 a year, it only cost $7,800 a year per person to house them and give them social services. This "housing first" model does require drug and alcohol abstinence and provides such services. But this might be a hindrance to some people considering the program, but this tactic is killing two birds with a much cheaper stone.
Let's End Homelessness Everywhere
Not only is this a cheaper approach, but Salt Lake's chronic homelessness has decreased by 72% in the last decade. This model needs to be followed by every state. A group in Madison, WI has their own version in which they built mini houses for the homeless. Another approach by Geoffrey Canada in Harlem, NY is providing children with programs to help them have the means to stay off of the streets as adults.
The homeless can make it off of the streets, but they might need a boost. Many of them want off of the street, want jobs, want a home; Salt Lake City has found a way to fix this problem. It's time for others to follow.
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