Loved SLC, but what's with all the beggars? (living, military)

[SquidneyGee]

Originally Posted by irman

OK, you gave me the answer of the question, *how did you come to that conclusion*

You and the community really did do something and you did get results.

I re-read your post and I understand your question now. Yes, you are correct in that many of the larger cities, people just did nothing. They supported the begging lifestyle, and/or did nothing with their community to rally a solution. But where I have seen people rally and push for change, it happens, rather quickly and efficiently too.

[SquidneyGee]

Originally Posted by Geo-Aggie

It's crazy, I go down to Detroit often enough to have become comfortable with the city, and I can objectively say that there is significantly more of a homeless problem in Downtown SLC than there is in Downtown Detroit (of course this probably has to do with the fact that houses in some Eastside Detroit neighborhoods can be squatted in without much consequence).

Due to the definite problems with homeless in Downtown SLC, I agree that the decentralization of shelters away from one massive homeless complex will be good for the community, especially Western Downtown, but there's really no excuse for sticking two of those shelters right in the middle of residential areas; one of those being what I considered a pretty nice middle-class neighborhood (Fairmont Park) and the other being one that has seen better days, but is/was making a significant comeback (Ballpark).

And some of the biggest complaints I've heard are from Liberty Wells residents stating that there will be 3 shelters within a 2 mile walk of their homes and the beautiful park there - the complaints are completely valid. Think about it, nobody goes to Pioneer Park except for the concerts, because the place is scary most days. We're now shifting that away from Pioneer Park and into Liberty Park which was my favorite park in the city (I really like the aviary).

Normally i'm a fanboy of SLC government and think they've made good decisions over the last 10-15 years, but this one is garbage. They're really giving a giant middle finger to any and all residents living west of 13th.

Oh no, we planned on visiting that aviary! I am sure we will be safe while attending the birds, of course, but I would hate so see such a lovely location filled with crime and homeless sleeping under the tees... It is right across the street from a church we planned on attending too. Maybe when we go I can talk to the congregation and see if they have any plans to help the issue.

[Montygirl]

SLC is no different to any major city all over the world . There will always be homeless people. Some is where people have fallen on hard times and sadly the commercialism of this world these days . I never give money to pan handlers but do give food. Life for people here can so easily change as it can in other places through no fault of their own sometimes, loss of job, family support etc. Lots of people including families go to the Aviary with no problems. What are your solutions then?

[Coffeequeen]

Actually, SLC/burbs etc is different, there is a well used trope that it is has a special attraction, that many of this population are not from Utah at all. Maybe the panhandlers have better luck with the gullible, the religious, the guilt ridden, etc in Utah. Hard nosed types from real cities don't give money to panhandlers. There will be no short term solution to addiction and the intractable types of mental illness that leave people unable to live within the confines of a civilised society. If people want to be homeless, society cannot force them to comply. When societies shut down workhouses, mental hospitals, and now prison beds, the street is where people end up. If the bleeding heart solution is just about space and beds, practically anyone could offer a warm bed and a place to live, Most of us would have the space for a couple of homeless people. If that is your kind of solution, more power to you.

[Beernik]

I say kudos to SLC for not sticking any of the shelters west of I15. Sticking problems on the west side of town has been the City's MO for a long time.

What really needs to be questioned is replacing one 1,100 bed facility with four 150 bed facilities. Smaller shelters might be a "better model", I wouldn't know, but math tells me this will put 500 more people on the street.

[dcisive]

indeed it makes far more sense to keep the accommodations for the homeless more centrally located. I noticed the announcement of one of them however in Sugarhouse was not met with acceptance. They lightly mentioned it may be restricted to only women which might mitigate things a bit. Several homeless guys were interviewed who interestingly enough stated they wanted no part of the current homeless shelters as they were rife with drugs and problems they didn't wish to be near. Can't say as I blame them. Also indeed the majority are NOT native to his area. How they ended up here is anyone's guess. This new mayor sure does seem to want to take measures to help things along. Indeed when one is traveling near the downtown areas it's very disheartening to see so many people with their backpacks, shopping carts and such moving about cloistered in places that are obviously temporary residence.

[Beernik]

That whole railroad to 400 West and 100 South to 400 South area has been bad for a really long time. It's only the last couple years that it's started getting in the news and it wasn't until then that the City started talking about doing something.

The other thing to keep in mind is the City has been talking about a big urban renewal project along 600 West from 100 South to the Trax-Frontrunner Station. So there is a lot of hypocrisy in them saying "don't worry about a homeless shelter impacting your neighborhood" while they are closing the homeless shelter next to their redevelopment project.


My opinions of the four sites:
The one on 100 South & 600 West, I mean it's already a high crime & high drug use area. My wife used to rent space in the Arts Alliance building at the end of the block. The only thing of any value within a block of that intersection is The Trapp.

The one near 300 West & 1400 South, it's such an industrial area already, I don't see it any different than the 100 South 600 West one.

The one next to the Bayou will be fairly noticeable.

The one next to Dancing Cranes should definitely get a lot of push back if for no other reason than it would close a daycare.

[Beernik]

This is the redevelopment project:

Salt Lake City advances Rio Grande district development plans | The Salt Lake Tribune

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by Montygirl

SLC is no different to any major city all over the world . There will always be homeless people. Some is where people have fallen on hard times and sadly the commercialism of this world these days . I never give money to pan handlers but do give food. Life for people here can so easily change as it can in other places through no fault of their own sometimes, loss of job, family support etc. Lots of people including families go to the Aviary with no problems. What are your solutions then?

I disagree with your statement. To willingly accept their lifestyle with a laissez faire attitude is part of the problem as well.

I grant you that that a significant amount of homeless is a failure in the government to deal with military vets (Nam & Iraq especially) specifically PTSD. Separately there is a significant amount of the homeless population with true mental disorders that alternatively would be medicated and potentially institutionalized if proper funding was available.

Outside of these two scenarios I would assume the vast majority of the population living west of Gateway are not affected by the above two but essentially have chosen the lifestyle because it's easy and they don't have to work. They can panhandle and get by living on the backs of others. This should be unacceptable and they should be properly motivated to work and self sustain themselves. I don't have the answer but we cannot make this lifestyle easy on them.

[Beernik]

Salt Lake is actually doing fairly well in comparison to other cities as homeless veterans go. The city bought up a failing hotel on North Temple, renovated it, and turned it into a shelter for Vets. It's called Freedom Landing and it's right next to the 1940 West North Temple station.

It's been a few years, but the last stat I heard was that the City was close to its goal of no homeless veterans.

If the new shelters look like Freedom Landing and the YWCA on 300 South, most people won't notice them unless they are told they are there.