Homelessness is an issue that is on the rise throughout the nation. Last year’s homelessness count showed that Utah’s homelessness was stable. This was both good news and bad news. Good in that even though Utah was seeing rising housing costs there wasn’t a dramatic increase in the homelessness population. Bad for the fact that millions was spent into efforts to reduce homelessness. One alarming data point that came out was that 59 percent of those experiencing homelessness were doing so for the first time. The data gathered from the homelessness count helps to make administrative and financial decisions to better support people experiencing homelessness. To get a better picture of the Basin, the Uintah Basin Association of Governments will be sending out volunteers in the early morning of Thursday, January 23rd; Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th. They will conduct in-depth surveys with people that are sleeping outside, in cars and in abandoned buildings. The association is asking everyone to help get the word out of the upcoming count. To ensure that volunteers meet with you or someone you know during that time, contact Kim Lamb at 435-722-4518.
