Matt Minkevitch and the other members of the Homeless Task Force have made a tremendous difference in the lives of homeless individuals in Utah.
"The state is halfway through a 10-year effort to reduce chronic homelessness, which often drains the services available for individuals and families in short-term crisis. State officials point to the ongoing construction of new housing for the chronically homeless as part of the explanation for the drop. Providing housing is often the first step toward sobriety, employment and improved mental health.
"The quality of life of people who suffered homelessness for many years has improved significantly," said Matt Minkevitch, executive director of The Road Home, the downtown Salt Lake City shelter.
A total of 3,372 homeless people were tallied statewide during the annual point-in-time count in January. Despite the ongoing recession, that is an increase of less than 1 percent, compared to the January 2009 count. In 2005, the chronically homeless made up about 18 percent of the homeless population over the course of the year. This year, the group is expected to be 5.2 percent.
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