| Show UtahHomeless Compiled by Chris Weston Estimates of the size of homeless populations are difficult to obtain The number of homeless persons is often underestimated for several reasons high mobility makes it difficult to locate and count homeless people high turmover rates among the homeless population lack ofreliable nationwide count of homeless people and lack ofclear definition of homelessness Another reason is the homeless count in Utah ispoint prevalence count This does not determine the length of homelessness Although estimates of the homeless population especially unsheltered homeless fail to adequately describe the scope of homelessness they can givegeneral description of changes in the number of homeless people in the state Homeless agencies in Utah use different criteria for eligibility compounding the problem There are an estimated051 homeless people in Utah night Of these an estimated two thirds are ongiven ving in shelters The homeless population in Utah is considered relatively large in comparison to the general population size Reasons for this include location at the intersection of major transportation routes and relatively good services available to the homeless population in Utah The fastest growing segment of the homeless population may be families Since 1990 the number of sheltered homeless families has increased 266 the number of sheltered homeless children has increased 215 Homelessness is an important factor in determining health status because homeless persons are considered to have increased mental and physical health risks as well as less access to the health care system Table 23 Sheltered Unsheltered Homeless in Utah Year 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Sheltered Homeless 355 427 513 687 860036380368296325364 Est Total Homeless 628 756 908215522834 2354 2425 2294992051 Table 24 Homeless Children and Families in Utah Year 1990 1991 1992 Children Families 108 167 233 53 82 118 1993 1994 1995 304 340 299 129 194 136 1996 349 148 Division Source 1986-1996 Communty Development Department of Community and Economic Development 1996 Utah 1996 Homeless Count Salt Lake City Community Development Division Utah Department of Community and Economic Development 1997 1997 Annual Report online ww goveror state utus Figure UtahSheltered and Unsheltered 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 Sheltered Homeless Est Total Honreless 78 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |
