Homelessness Among Utah Women

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness reported that on a single night in 2022, roughly 582,500 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States. In Utah, 3,687 individuals experience homelessness on any given day in 2022.

National Overview?

Nationally, males are more likely than females to experience homelessness. According to the most recent comprehensive point-in-time dataset from 2020, 22?of every 10,000 males were homeless compared to 13 of every 10,000 females. In total, the number of men experiencing homelessness was 352,211 versus 223,578 females. Additionally, there were 3,161 transgender individuals and 1,460 non-binary individuals who experienced homelessness. While White individuals make up the largest number experiencing homelessness, people of color, including individuals who are Pacific Islanders, Black, or Native American, have the highest rates of homelessness.?

Utah?

More than 24,000 people accessed homeless services in Utah sometime during 2021. In 2022, Utah saw a 10% increase in people newly homeless during 2022. To put this in perspective with recent national numbers, 18 of every 10,000 people in the U.S. have experienced homelessness, whereas 9.8 of every 10,000 people in Utah have experienced homelessness. Females made up 39.0% (9,368 of 24,037) of the individuals who accessed homeless services in Utah in 2021. Of the 9,368 women, approximately 23.0% (2,153) were under the age of 18.?With the cost of housing in the state, the percentages may be rising.

What Utahns Can Do?

Utah has been known for setting challenging goals and undertaking innovative approaches to address homelessness in the state. Additionally, state funding for homeless services and initiatives has increased dramatically over the last several years. However, considering recent rises in homelessness, policy makers and community leaders need to continue prioritizing this important issue. One key factor affecting Utah’s rate of homelessness is the housing and rental market, including prices, interest rates, and the number of available units. Affordable, accessible housing is an overall concern for any growing population, but especially for those experiencing homelessness and low incomes. Multiple strategies are necessary to ensure that those experiencing homelessness have access to a strong network of resources and stable housing. Furthermore, we need to better understand and address other predictive factors of homelessness, such as mental and physical health and domestic violence.?Check out the Utah Homelessness Council and Utah Community Action for important work that is already being done.?

A Bolder Way Forward

A Bolder Way seeks to strengthen the impact of all Utah girls and women, and understanding homelessness for women and girls in Utah is important. As part of this statewide movement that launched in June, poverty and homelessness are included in the 18 areas of focus. We will need to work together in our communities to solve poverty by providing resources, helping people rebuild their lives, and assisting women to stabilize the crises in their lives. In terms of homelessness, the goal is to ensure that it is rare, brief, and non-recurring. The vision is that everyone has access to safe, decent, affordable housing with the needed resources and supports for self-sufficiency and well-being.

Conclusion??

Although Utah’s rate of homelessness is less than the national rate, thousands of individuals and families experience sheltered and unsheltered homelessness each year. We must continue efforts to provide resources for those currently experiencing homelessness and develop strategies that ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. As we do so, we will not only strengthen the impact of more Utah girls and women, but also their families.?

To learn more about homelessness among Utah women, read?the full snapshot .

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Dr. Susan R. Madsen is a global thought leader, author, speaker, and scholar on the topic of women and leadership. She is also the Inaugural Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University and the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project . Thanks to Candice B. Pierucci (Research Associate, Utah Women & Leadership Project), Dr. Emily S. Darowski (Associate Director, Utah Women & Leadership Project), for their tremendous research on this snapshot. ?

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