That's the view of two officials who deal with homeless people on a regular basis. And while they're doing what they can, the need is growing, they say.
"Right now we have an average of about four, it averages that a week, sometimes less," said Donnette Barber. She is the homeless emergency assistance coordinator for the Family Connection Center.
And that number doesn't begin to count all of those who could be counted as homeless, she said. There are those who are referred to the often-full homeless shelters in Ogden and Salt Lake City.
There are hundreds of other families who have no permanent home, but live for a few months with friends and family, then move on.
And there are typically several dozen who live and sleep in their cars, or in parks, during the summer months.
"We've seen a lot of success," Barber said, with getting homeless people into finding permanent housing and employment.
"We start them off with a two-three day motel voucher, then case manage with them to make sure they are finding a job and housing. Then we can extend it (motel voucher)," she said.
"We try and help them along, with housing lists, referrals to temporary job agencies such as SOS, make sure they're connected with the Department of Workforce Services, and job coaching through them," she said.
"There was the case of a man, with no job, and his son, who within two weeks he was able to get a job, move out (of the motel)," said Sharon Anderson, FCC executive director.
Part of the help offered can include connecting them with appropriate social services, such as Food Stamps and payment of one month's rent to help them get on their feet, she said.
"There are so many jobs available you would think people would take advantage of those," Anderson said, questioning why the homeless situation seems to persist.
She cited the President's 10 Year Plan on Homelessness, with Utah considered a leading state.
Bountiful's Lloyd Pendleton has been helping lead the charge, under the Governor's direction. "He's been training people in other states," as well as working with Davis County and other officials, she said.
A Davis County Homeless Coalition has been formed, with County Commissioner Louenda Downs serving as the current chair.
All counties are setting up similar committees, with Davis County able to make use of some Davis Behavioral Health apartments to house chronically homeless.
"We have single parents who have suffered domestic violence" housed in such situations, Anderson said.
The DCHC has a pilot transitional housing project for homeless families, she said.
"We are trying to put our heads together to find a way to create a one-stop shop," said Downs. That would relate to those needing transitional housing and also medical services, etc.
"It would be a place where people can say I have these two or three things I need help with, can you point me in the right direction?
"The transitional housing issue is one that we don't have as much in the way of services available as we have in the way of needs," Downs said.
"This is a need that seems to be crying out. We don't have the homeless shelters, so what is our answer for that population who is in need?
"We have our Safe Harbor (Domestic Violence Shelter), and a few other opportunities, but not nearly enough to meet the needs that are out there," she said.
"Even though we may not match the numbers in downtown New York City, or that percentage, we certainly have a homeless population. We need to address those needs, give them opportunities for shelter and answers to what can be done -- try to be responsive to the needs that are out there."
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
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