[Karl Widerquist]
A few years ago, the U.S. State of Utah introduced a program called Housing First, which fights homelessness by giving homeless people free housing. According to Jenny Swank of Nation Swell, recent reports estimate that Housing First “has reduced its rate of chronic homelessness by 74 percent over the past eight years, moving 2000 people off the street and putting the state on track to eradicate homelessness altogether by 2015.” Although the housing grant is in kind (meaning in goods) rather than in cash (as the BIG model would have it), and although it is granted only to those in need rather than to everyone, this program is a step toward a basic income guarantee because it is unconditional. Recipients are not required to work or to be available to work or to prove that they are unable to work or even to enter substance abuse treatment if they are abusers. Also, for the first time in the state, Housing First creates a legal right to housing. The apparent rationale is: whatever other problems individuals might have, they are better off with homes. Assessments indicate the program is cost-effective, and other states are looking at the program and considering imitating it. This is a great step towards making sure homeless people are not left out alone and have somewhere to go. Over time, they will gain employment and belongings that they can call their own. To make sure that they keep their homes and the contents of their homes secure, they may want to look over home warranty utah plans so they know what is covered just in case something happens where it affects their residence.
For more on the Utah program see:
David Weigel “Republican State Gives Free Houses to Moochers, Cuts Homelessness by 74 Percent,” Slate, Dec. 20 2013.
Terrance Heath, “Utah ending homelessness by giving people homes,” Nation of Change, 23 January 2014.
Jenny Shank, “Utah Is on Track to End Homelessness by 2015 With This One Simple Idea,” Nation Swell. December 19, 2013.
Utah’s “Housing Works” website has information about the Housing First approach.
-Nation Swell
