Icy Cold and Cut Services Create Dangerous Perfect Storm for Homeless

Though every winter season brings difficult times for those without permanent housing, a report released in December by the U.S. Conference of Mayors showed that homelessness rates grew across the country in 2014, a trend driven by lack of affordable housing, widespread unemployment, chronic poverty, and a lack of needed services for those struggling with mental illness or substance abuse. Meanwhile, a report released in November by the National Center on Family Homelessness showed there are now more homeless children in the U.S. than anytime in the nation's history.

Looking for a solution to the current crisis? A recent report out of Utah has a novel idea for the homeless: provide them housing. As a report by Fusion media explains:

"It's a solution that might sound too simple, but it's working. The program, called 'Housing First,' has origins in New York. Utah started its own pilot of the program in 2005 with 17 people. The state took them off the street and put them into housing for 22 months. After the state saw all 17 people remained housed and stable during that time, the project was expanded. To date, the rate of chronic homelessness in Utah has dropped 72 percent since the program's inception."

Watch the report: