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Show Utah's Homeless 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 turnover rates among the homeless population; lack of a reliable nationwide count of homeless people; and lack of a clear definition of "homelessness." Another reason is the homeless count in Utah is a point prevalence count. This does not determine the length of homelessness1. Although estimates of the homeless population, especially unsheltered homeless, fail to adequately describe the scope of homelessness, they can give a general 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 estimated 2,051 homeless people in Utah on a given night. Of these, an estimated two thirds are living 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 21. Sheltered/Unsheltered Homeless in Utah Sheltered Est. Total Year Homeless Homeless 1986 355 628 1987 427 756 1988 513 908 1989 687 1,215 1990 860 1,522 1991 1,036 1,834 1992 1,380 2,354 1993 1,368 2,425 1994 1,296 2,294 1995 1,325 1,992 1996 1,364 2,051 Table 22. Homeless Children and Families in Utah Year Children Families 1990 108 53 1991 167 82 1992 233 118 1993 304 129 1994 340 194 1995 299 136 1996 349 148 Tables 21 and. 22 Source: 1986-1996: Community Development Division, Department of Community and Economic Development (1996). Utah 1996 Homeless Count, Salt Lake City. 1. Community Development Division, Utah Department of Community and Economic Development (1997). 1997 Annual Report. Available [online] Http://www.governor.state.ut.us Figure 9 Total Number Utah's Sheltered and Unsheltered Homeless 4000 2000 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 • Sheltered Homeless Est. Total Homeless Figure 10 Utah's Homeless Children and Families Total Number 1990 1992 1994 1996 • Children......Families 67 |
