Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Extra help and shelter is available for the homeless during Utah's "Code Blue" winters.
Urban Living
Posted By Babs De Lay on November 13, 2024, 4:00 AM
Damn, it got cold fast! As I scurry around my home trying to finish winterizing my yard, replacing furnace filters, changing out batteries in my smoke detectors and putting away yard tools, I find I'm so incredibly grateful to have a home and not be out on the streets, unsheltered in the cold.
Luckily, almost every large city in the state has at least one emergency shelter and/or a transitional housing facility. But there are hundreds of folks who don't want to go into shelters because they have their pets with them, are too mentally unstable and prefer the streets, feel there's too much crime and drugs in the shelters and/or simply don't feel safe enough to check in for the night. However, when it gets super cold, everyone needs some kind of shelter.
In 2023, the state passed a law creating a "Code Blue Alert," which takes effect when temperatures are expected to drop below 18 degrees (including wind chill) for two hours or more during a 24-hour period. The law allows a homeless shelter to expand its capacity by up to 35% to provide temporary shelter and can speed up intake procedures to get people checked in.
Even better, any indoor facility owned by a private or nonprofit organization, the state or a local government entity may be used as a temporary shelter and is exempted from licensing for the duration of the code blue alert if the facility meets fire and building code requirements. The alerts are issued county by county depending on weather reports.
I remember a few years ago when First United Methodist Church in downtown Salt Lake City opened its facility after dark to dozens of street people when the temps dropped into the teens. Volunteers set up mats on the floor for folks who wanted to sleep in their warm building or they could use the bathrooms, eat donated food and get donated clothing. Basically the church, its congregation and the community saw the need downtown and provided loving shelter to our Salt Lake neighbors and without any special funding or authority, simply said: "We see a desperate need in the cold and we're going to help!"
According to homelessshelterdirectory.org, there are 14,659 homeless shelters and related social services in this country. You can go to that website to specifically see a list of all those currently in operation in Utah. According to the Utah Office of Homeless Services this summer, our homeless population increased by 9% in 2023 over 2022. The rate of homelessness here was found to be 11 out of every 10,000 people, which is lower than the national average.
My wife and I stock our cars with blankets, water bottles, dog treats and simple foodstuffs that we give out regularly at intersections and on the streets downtown. It's not much, but it brings a smile to the giver and the receiver every time.
About The Author
Babs De Lay
A full-time broker/owner of Urban Utah Homes and Estates, Babs De Lay serves on the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission. A writer and golfer, you'll find them working as a staff guardian at the Temple at Burning Man each year.
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