Community Attitudes Towards Individuals Experiencing Homelessness & Homeless Solutions

This community-engaged research project aims to gain a deeper understanding of public attitudes towards individuals experiencing homelessness and current services in Cache, Carbon, Uintah, and Utah counties in Utah. By identifying community perceptions and the challenges, the goal is to identify and bridge gaps improving the effectiveness of services and fostering a more supportive community.

Lead Researcher: Dr. Dorothy Wallis, dorothy.wallis@usu.edu

157

Bear River Region residents were experiencing homelessness in the January 2024 Point-in-Time Count (1).

10×

the rate of death of people who are homless compared to the general population in Utah (2).

86.6%

of survey respondents in Cache County agree/strongly agree there is a need for a year-round resource center

Quick Facts

Study Team
Lead Researcher: Dr. Dorothy Wallis
Co-lnvestigators: Dr. Jess Lucero, Dr. Vonda Jump-Norman, Dr. Jayme Walters, Dr. Maureen Boyle (Social Work/TCI)
Lead Student Research Assistant: Sarah Makar
Student Researchers: Social Work Junior Class (about 90 students) & TCI Interns: Peyton Reynolds, Brookelyn Harvey, Yuri Montenegro
Community Partner Panel
These individuals have independently donated their time and expertise to co-design and implement this project. Their participation is personal and does not necessarily represent or imply endorsement by their employers or affiliated organizations.
Heather Hogue, United Way of Utah County
Renee Raso, Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments
Kim Dieter, Uintah Basin Association of Governments
Tim Keady, WAB Warming Center
Chris Runhaar, WAB Warming Center
Sandi Goodlander, Cache County Council & Bear River LHC
Deanna Newbold, Bear River Association of Governments
Stephanie Carver, Bear River Association of Governments
Holly Budge, Bear River Health Department
Josh Smith, Logan YIMBY
Jason Samuel, St. John's Episcopal
Jennifer Morales, Logan YIMBY
Lesa Wilson, Cafe Ibis
Zac Smith, Community Resident
Venli Densmore, Community Resident
Mikelshan Bartschi, Cache County Sheriff's Office

Project Outputs

In this picture, BSW students tabling at grocery stores to survey local residents in Fall 2024.

References

  1. Utah Department of Workforce Services. (n.d.). Homelessness data & reports. https://jobs.utah.gov/homelessness/hard.html
  2. Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Utah homeless mortality report 2024. https://dhhs.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024-Utah-Homeless-Mortality-Report.pdf