| Description |
Homelessness impacts 12,442 Utahns every year. Several of these people live in encampments, these areas are particularly problematic because they often become places of heightened health, sanitation, and safety concerns. In order to mitigate these issues, several municipalities within Salt Lake County participate in abatement events. Salt Lake City defines a camp abatement as, "a cleaning event that takes place at a site where people experiencing unhoused homelessness are congregating for an extended period of time. Camp abatements are carried out in areas that include environmental public concerns" (Salt Lake City, 2023). To understand the perceptions of the general public and entities involved in these abatement events I interviewed 12 individuals: 4 government officials, 4 civic groups, and 4 advocates. Through analysis of these interviews, I found that in order to address the homeless crisis as a society within Salt Lake County, we must first increase communication both between entities and the general public as well as increase and improve transitional housing spaces ensuring they are equitable and accessible. |
