The Hinckley Institute Radio Hour (Air date: Mar. 26, 2014) – Salt Lake City has reported that annual surveys show a 74 percent decline in homeless numbers since 2005. Still, 13.5 percent of Utah’s overall population (377,815 individuals) lives below the poverty line, and more 0.5 percent is considered homeless, according to a 2013 “Comprehensive Report on Homelessness.” A combination of poverty, unemployment, and a lack of affordable housing and health insurance makes people more vulnerable to homelessness, according to advocates. This panel discussion with leaders of Salt Lake City’s homeless support community was recorded on January 17th, 2014. The panelists include Michelle Flynn, Associate Director of the Road Home, Pamela Atkinson, community advocate and social entrepreneur, Karen Hale, Director of Community Relations for Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, Tamera Kohler, Director of the Utah State Community Services Office, Rob Wesemann, Division Director of Homeless Services for Volunteers of America, and Elisa, a homeless program client. The panel was moderated by former Salt Lake City mayor, Palmer Depaulis.
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