Building codes don't need to be thrown out to construct low cost housing, and low cost housing doesn't need to result in slums. Salt Lake City recognized the t

Building codes don't need to be thrown out to construct low cost housing, and low cost housing doesn't need to result in slums. Salt Lake City recognized the total cost of a large homeless population was significantly higher than building permanent homes paired with services to accommodate them. Reducing the chronic homeless population increases capacity of emergency services, saves the community money, improves quality of life for both homeless and those living/working in an area with a large homeless population, and creates a setting where support services (health, wellness, education...) can be more efficiently and effectively provided. The 2013 report goes into detail: http://jobs.utah.gov/housing/documents/homelessness2013.pdf http://jobs.utah.gov/housing/documents/homelessness2013.pdf Some highlights: Salt Lake City has 779 permanent housing units for supporting chronically homeless. On a random night's count, 87% of the homeless population was sheltered. Chronic homelessness decreased 9% from 2012-2013, and has decreased 74% since program start in 2005. 2005 - average annual cost for emergency services and jail time for each chronically homeless person was $16,670. The cost to house them and provide case management services was $11,000 per person. Over half of those housed by the program moved on to permanent destinations. Only 8% returned to homelessness.