Where did it all
go right?
Homeless Action Plans from
the Beginning, Middle and End.
A series of short educational documentaries featuring Utah individuals on the path to ending their homeless experience.
Including insights into action plans being developed by the State of Utah and direction to local resources.
Thanks to Zions Bank and Ivory Homes for kind support in helping to make the program available.
About the Campaign
There is no denying that homelessness is on the rise. Whether in Salt Lake City, Boston or San Francisco, these stories are all similar across the world no matter the geographic location. The issues leading to these situations are varied but one thing is true, we need to come together as a community from the top to the bottom to offer assistance to everybody and anybody.
We spent some time with advocates, community leaders, activists and some people who need a helping hand here and there to see what can and needs to be done to end homelessness. So pull up a chair and listen to some stories and lend a hand.
This program is by no means a direct path to ending the issues so many are facing. It is meant to be an open door to engage in conversations to ultimately build community through the stories of lived experience.
The series was filmed in Salt Lake City by Mental Healthy F.i.T. during the winter on 2022 and is comprised of (3) 10 minute episodes. The project is designed around the concept of telling stories to create change and all good stories have a beginning, middle and end.
Beginning - Ending Homelessness before it begins with youth education. Released for viewing in November 2022.
Middle - Resources for those in active homelessness. Released for viewing in December 2022.
End - Action plans for sustainable care. Released for viewing in January 2023.
Each episode provides insights and implementable actions plans that we can all follow to help impact those experiencing homelessness.
All opinions depicted within this video are those of the individual. Be sure to evaluate the safety of yourself and others before interacting with anyone you do not know.
Thanks to Ivory Homes and Zions Bank for helping to make this possible.
Disclaimer. Mental Healthy does not provide medical assistance or diagnosis. All content is provided in education and awareness of mental health. Please contact a medical provider as required.
Being educated about mental health will promote ending the stigma, empower our youth to recognize and ask for the help they or someone they know needs. It will decrease homelessness and suicides. It will save lives. It would save millions of children from developing serious mental illnesses.
The definition of those who are experiencing homelessness includes:
Lack of fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation.
Homelessness is a major issue. A safe place to call home should be an option for everyone. There are countless issues leading to these difficulties and during winter, the needs of people facing homelessness could not be more urgent. But in order to help we must understand that each case has it’s own causes and challenges. Some reasons for homelessness include
Mental Illness/Health
Substance misuse/Addiction
Unemployment
Housing Market
Domestic Abuse
Poverty
There are four types of
homelessness.
Transitional Homelessness
Homelessness is not a chronic condition. The most common type of homelessness is transitional.
Transitional homelessness is “a state of homelessness that’s a result of a major life change or catastrophic event”. These life changes might be job loss, a health condition, divorce, domestic abuse, a substance use disorder, or personal or family crisis, among many others, resulting in being in unhoused situations for under a year
Episodic Homelessness
Episodic homelessness can eventually become chronic homelessness without adequate resources and support.
Like transitional homelessness, those experiencing episodic homelessness are usually younger or dealing with a disabling condition such as substance use disorder, mental illness, and other mental and/or physical health conditions. Having seasonal or minimum wage income jobs can still lead to episodic.
Chronic Homelessness
Experiencing chronic homelessness is defined as "an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition" who has been homeless for more than one year. People experiencing chronic homelessness are also more prone to be dealing with certain disability, mental health condition, addiction, and other debilitating conditions that affect their ability to progress through homeless difficulties.
Hidden Homelessness
This is often most unnoticed. Those who temporarily live with others without a permanent home are considered “hidden homeless.” Known as hidden due to not being accounted for within resources.
Hidden homelessness, utilize friends, family, and neighbors for shelter. In many cases, living expenses is a major cause.
Most importantly, there is no shame if you or a friend finds themselves in an unsheltered, unhoused or homeless situation. There is always someone willing to help.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please click the resource tab above for info. Additionally be sure to evaluate the safety of yourself and others before interacting with anyone you do not know.
NEED FOR A GOOD
FOUNDATION
“How do we end homelessness? Before it begins”
IMPACT IDEAS
How do we get the
ball rolling to
solve the problem?
EDUCATION!
This includes stronger availability of education and awareness programs and campaigns for youth, such as…
Mental Health resources.
Substance misuse education and treatment.
Community events providing safe spaces.
Efficient access to resources.
Overall we need to work toward ending stigma in mental health to enable individuals to reach out for help without the worry of discrimination, shame or other detrimental difficulties.
How will this help the issues today? There will be minimal immediate impact, but the great success will be in the future as many individuals will hopefully never be presented with the option of living on the streets by accessing resources and implementing healthy learned choices.
There are many options for education and support. Find out about some of the expressive therapies Mental Healthy F.i.T. offers here.
Be sure to check out the additional episodes.
Disclaimer. Mental Healthy does not provide medical assistance or diagnosis. All content is provided in education and awareness of mental health. Please contact a medical provider as required.
CONTINUING TO
BUILD
But what about those that are experiencing homelessness at the moment I hear you say?
Of course we need to focus a majority of care and resources towards this population. There are many reasons why someone may end up living an unsheltered life, including poverty, rising housing and rental markets, lack of retirement funds, unemployment and mental illness mixed with substance misuse. Whatever the reason, there is no shame if you or anyone else finds themselves in this situation.
Much like episode one, let’s look at how we can effect change within the MIDDLE of homelessness.
Disclaimer. Mental Healthy does not provide medical assistance or diagnosis. All content is provided in education and awareness of mental health. Please contact a medical provider as required.
IMPACT IDEAS
How can communities
help those
in this predicament?
RESOURCES!
Just as there are many roads that lead to homelessness, there are just as many ways to help those in need, such as…
Extended capacity in shelters.
Attraction and retention of caseworkers.
Simplified action plans to access resources.
Innovative facilities.
Tiny home villages and extended stay “hotels” are great pieces of the puzzle as long as they include wrap around services to help guests gain the medical, clinical and therapeutic tools needed to successfully maintain sustainable housing.
An innovative resource in Salt Lake City is Switchpoint. Recently they renovated an old hotel to provide “attainable living” for those over 55. Beyond food and shelter Switchpoint Community Resource Center is a stepping stone to independence for individuals experiencing homelessness. A switch point is a mechanism on a train track that with a little bit of a turn sends the train in a completely different direction. Switchpoint offers tools to get life back on track for those who need it most.
Another cool concept creating strong foundations is The Other Side Tiny Home Village. It is a master-planned neighborhood that provides affordable, permanent quality housing for people coming out of chronic homelessness. Contrary to some belief, it is not just giving free tiny homes to those in need but also ensuring a level of support through wrap around services.
These forward thinking organizations provide rehabilitation for those in need. People come seeking these services from all walks of life, including some who may have engaged in criminal activity due to their situation. It is still important to treat everyone seeking services with a humanistic approach in order to progress in their journey. Legal intervention may be required in some circumstances.
Sample Wrap Around Services:
Case management (service coordination)
Counseling (individual, family, group, youth, and vocational)
Crisis care and outreach
Education/special education services, tutoring
Family support, independent living supports, self-help or support groups
Psychiatric consultation, community-based in-patient psychiatric care
Health services
Legal services, protection and advocacy
Recreation therapy
Residential treatment, respite care
Small therapeutic group care, therapeutic foster care
Transportation
Providing various options for people to access at whatever step they are at in their journey is certainly important but it is also just one cog in the whole machine of ending homelessness.
Implementable
Action
Plans to do at home?
Creating Individual care kits to carry in your car. These are great to hand out to anyone you come across. Items that you will need that people will find helpful on a day to day basis.
Non perishable food - Bandages - Bottle of Water - Disinfectant Wipes - Toothbrush - Chocolate - Socks - Gloves - Directable Contact Card.
We can’t stress the importance of 3 simple things, eye contact, a smile and warm socks! We recently held a volunteer evening and created 1000 care kits for the Salt Lake community.
Remember the best plan of action to gain access and awareness of services is to call 211 or visit 211.org.
There are many options for education and support. Find out about some of the expressive therapies Mental Healthy F.i.T. offers here.
Be sure to check out the additional episodes.
KEEPING THE
BALL ROLLING
Now you’ve got sustainable housing, found a job and things are looking up.
But this is not the end of the journey to end homelessness. We need to ensure that “aftercare” resources are available and accessible. If not, then it’s an easy slip and slide to find us right back where we started.
Much like episode one and two, let’s look at how we can help change and maintain the futures of many on their progress.
Disclaimer. Mental Healthy does not provide medical assistance or diagnosis. All content is provided in education and awareness of mental health. Please contact a medical provider as required.
IMPACT IDEAS
How do we
successfully sustain
and maintain the end
of homelessness?
AFTERCARE!
Once the change has been made and programs have been accessed and completed, there are still needs to continue along this new path…
Continued medical access. Both physical and mental.
Affordable housing.
Free community group resources.
Educational and vocational services availability.
Employment direction and availability.
Getting a roof over our heads is just another step. Finding and maintaining a job and building a surrounding community are needed too.
Let’s start with finding affordable housing. There are a few great options to can look into. A good place to start is the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They offer a variety of housing assistance programs that can help find and pay for housing. Additionally, you can check with your local housing authority, which offers programs like public housing and Section 8 vouchers. You can also look into nonprofit organizations in your area that provide financial assistance with housing costs, such as the resources listed in the Salt Lake County Homeless Services.
Mental health is also an essential part of overall wellbeing and functioning. It is important for communities to provide resources for mental health because it can help to reduce stigma and create a more supportive and understanding environment for those who may be struggling with mental health issues. Mental health resources can offer support in the form of counseling, therapy, or other services that can provide individuals with the tools they need to cope with their mental health challenges. Having access to mental health resources can also help to prevent more serious issues from developing, such as depression or anxiety, by providing a safe and supportive space for individuals to get the help they need. It is important for communities to provide mental health resources to ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need and thus stop the flow of those returning to a state of homelessness.
Quick tips to stay on track.
Access supportive housing programs
Counseling (individual, family, group, youth, and vocational)
Crisis care and outreach
Attend community recovery groups
Personal support systems
Employment programs
Health services
Legal services, protection and advocacy
Find some hobbies
Spend time with friends
Ask for help
Help others
Providing various options for people to access at whatever step they are at in their journey is certainly important but it is also just one cog in the whole machine of ending homelessness.
How can we help
those that may
be struggling?
Spread awareness about the issue of homelessness and also volunteer your time to help out a shelter or organization. Try to find ways to change attitudes that are negatively impacting the homeless population.
Create a support system for those in need. Educate yourself on local resources so you can be ready with answers and directions to make success easy.
It’s a long road and hard to stay on the right path, but if we all work together as a community, we can help everyone.
Remember the best plan of action to gain access and awareness of services is to call 211 or visit 211.org.
There are many options for education and support. Find out about some of the expressive therapies Mental Healthy F.i.T. offers here.
Be sure to check out the additional episodes.
How to Get Help If You or someone you know is Experiencing Homelessness
Mental Healthy F.i.T. does not provide housing or case management services. If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, please contact your local 2-1-1 hotline or scroll down for more info to get help in your community. These resources will provide options best suited for the individuals in need, including medical, legal and community support. Due to the sensitive nature of peripheral issues leading to homelessness, please be sure to evaluate the safety of yourself and others before interacting with anyone you do not know.
Finding Shelter or
Housing Services
The first thing to do If you are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness, is to get in touch with your local shelter system. The best way to do this is through “homeless hotline,” “2-1-1,”
Getting In Touch With the Shelter System in Your Community
The Continuum of Care (CoC) program is the “front door” for homelessness services across the country. Contact your community’s CoC to learn about access to shelter, housing, and other resources.
Contact the CoC in your area (after entering an address, click the map to find contact information for your local CoC)
A 2-1-1 hotline is available in many communities and offers trained staff 24/7 to help residents access services like shelter, health care, food, and other social services programs.
Find your community’s 2-1-1 hotline | Call 2-1-1
The National Coalition for the Homeless offers basic information on how people experiencing homelessness can get help and access resources.
Website
Accessing Health Care in Your
Community
The Human Resources and Services Administration, a department of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers a searchable database of health clinics that provide free and/or accessible care.
Find a health center in your area
The National Healthcare for the Homeless Council offers a searchable state list of health care providers that serve people experiencing homelessness.
Find a clinic in your area
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics offers a national map of health providers that offer free care.
Find a free or charitable clinic in your area
Accessing Food in Your
Community
Feeding America offers a food bank locator to help you find a food bank in your community.
Locate a food bank
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program offers supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education and counseling, and screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services.
Find WIC services in your area
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families.
Find or call your local SNAP office | Call the national information line 1-800-221-5689