The number of people who experienced homelessness in Utah in 2009 has risen, making it the third consecutive year to show an increase as the state felt the effects of a national recession, according to a new report by two state agencies.
But experts believe that a web of private and public services -- and old-fashioned bootstrap-pulling -- is helping get most of those people back on their feet. So even as markets fell, business sank and jobs were lost, the number of people counted as "chronically homeless," those who repeatedly find themselves without permanent housing, is expected to fall by 5 percent this year.
Thomas Lamb understands why. It has been two years since he found himself in a hospital -- again -- without a clue as to how he had gotten there. After years on the street in which he had struggled to end his addictions by himself, Lamb asked for help.
And in a state that has committed itself to ending chronic homelessness by 2014, he got it. He found counselors to help him deal with his addictions. He found social workers to help him find subsidized housing. And he found an employer that gave him an opportunity to learn new skills.
Now, more than 20 months sober, employed by Deseret Industries and en route to getting his general education degree, Lamb said he's "just getting started."
On Thursday, Lamb had an opportunity to give thanks to those who played a role in his recovery as hundreds of people gathered for Utah'ssixth annual Homeless Summit.
"These people do care," Lamb said. "It blew me away, because I didn't know people really cared."
It took a lot of people to help Lamb -- but the state wins big dividends as long as he stays sober, employed and off the streets. That's because while chronically homeless individuals make up only 9 percent of the overall homeless population, they consume about half of homeless resources.
Meanwhile, the average length of stay for homeless individuals in emergency shelters has fallen slightly, from 46 days in 2008 to 43 days this year -- a possible sign that the network of support services is getting more efficient at providing help.
The federal government has taken note. In remarks delivered via video, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shawn Donovan said that Utah has set an example with its aggressive campaign to end chronic homelessness.
"The time has come for the federal government to do the same," Donovan said. "We have now proven that we can house anyone. Our job now is to house everyone. To prevent and end homelessness."
But Utah's homeless advocates aren't resting. With the economy still in the doldrums, demand for services is greater than ever, particularly among homeless families with children -- whose ranks have grown by nearly 20 percent this year. In addition to those living in shelters, motels, cars and campgrounds, more than 8,500 Utah children are in families that are "doubled up" with another family, according to the Utah Department of Education. That's a more than 2,000-child rise from last year.