Secretary Donovan Praises Utah Efforts to Eliminate Homelessness

Secretary Donovan speaks about Utah's success in reducing homelessness with Utah Governor Herbert on the left and Director of the Utah Division of Housing and Community Development Gordon Walker on the right.

Regional Administrator Rick Garcia (second from left) poses with attendees.

On June 1, 2011, Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development met with State and Community leaders to recognize their efforts to eliminate chronic homelessness in Utah. The State of Utah has committed to end chronic homelessness, and reduce overall homelessness, by 2014. Over the last six years Utah has been able to reduce chronic homelessness by 69 percent, and by 26 percent over the last year alone.

New developments such as Kelly Benson Apartments, Palmer Court, Sunrise Metro and Freedom Landing have helped homeless veterans and families move in to housing. These help to create a safe, stable environment to get medical treatment, participate in job training and find permanent employment.

Following the innovative programs created in Utah to end homelessness, the Federal government has created the Opening Doors program. This program will work to end homelessness among families and children by 2020 -- and chronic and veteran homelessness by 2015.

Secretary Donovan said "The solid body of evidence that permanent supportive housing ends homelessness and saves money is why we were able to request funding for over 11,000 additional HUD-VASH vouchers--even in a tough budget environment--and a record level of funding for Continuum of Care grants, which communities like Salt Lake use to prevent homelessness, and provide rapid re-housing and new permanent supportive housing."

Secretary Donovan concluded his remarks by saying "As President Obama has said, "Until we reach a day when not a single veteran sleeps on our nation's streets, our work remains unfinished."

Thanks to the efforts of communities like Salt Lake City, we already know that we can complete that work. Working together, with your partnership, I know that we will."

Palmer Court is one of several developments in Utah dedicated specifically to serving the needs of homeless individuals and families.

Secretary of HUD Shaun Donovan and Region VIII Regional Administrator Rick Garcia.

Persons in need of homeless assistance in Utah should visit

• www.informationandreferral.org
• Or dial 2-1-1 from any phone for assistance.

Persons interested in volunteer opportunities to assist homeless support organizations can also contact

• www.informationandreferral.org
• Or dial 2-1-1 by phone.