First in a series

DAVIS COUNTY — Homelessness took center stage in Davis County in 2008.

That’s because it was the focus of proceeds from the annual Davis County Gala held that year. Some $40,000 was raised and distributed to help homeless causes.

As a part of that initiative, other efforts were started, such as a homelessness summit.

So, what is the state of homelessness in Davis County, one year later?

“We know that we have, through efforts that have been made over the last year, taken some of those who would be considered homeless out of those ranks,” said County Commissioner Louenda Downs.

She co-chairs the county’s homelessness coordinating council and helped organize the summit, among other related pursuits.

“We have found them homes, apartments, we’ve provided help for them, taken some out” of homeless numbers, she said.

That help is coming in several ways.

Davis Behavioral Health was appointed “guardian” of the original $40,000, which was later distributed to several homelessness agencies.

DBH received $20,000 for its homeless program, which includes a new housing component for renovation of several apartments and housing single men and single women with children.

The Davis Community Housing Authority is administering a program, funded by the federal stimulus, to assist people with rent while providing case management intended to lead to independence.

Efforts are being pursued to help inmates, upon released from jail, to find housing away from previous bad influences, and get jobs, etc.

Some $10,000 was allocated to that end from the Gala, with the Safe Harbor domestic violence shelter administering that program.

The Davis Community Housing Authority continues to provide vouchers, to help house people who would otherwise be homeless, Downs said.

Woods Cross was also considered a possible part of the solution.

A series of old apartments have been demolished, and the Davis Community Housing Authority had proposed partnering with others on a project to get some families out of homelessness.

However, the city council later voted the idea of the partnership down and the proposed project was abandoned.

Those are only a few examples of what is happening.

“We know at the same time from the numbers we see with those who have been using the Food Banks and from the school district, as we whittle away at the homelessness issue, on one hand we can help thin out the ranks,” Downs said.

“On the other end, the problem continues to grow, especially with the economic challenges we’re facing.

“To be honest, it’s difficult to move far enough and fast enough to alleviate the problem,” she continued.

Many of the “homeless” aren’t out on the street, such as the 1,000-plus students in the Davis School District, and their families.

They are often “double bunking” with family or friends, for a time, or moving several times a year, from apartment to apartment.

“In Davis County, the lion’s share of what we’re dealing with are families, rather than just build a shelter, not that a shelter wouldn’t help for the night,” she said.

“But if we can do more than a Band Aid, to try and heal it, reverse it – that’s what we’re trying to do.”

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com