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H.O.S.T. Program

The homeless Outreach Service Project is a proactive and collaborative effort to move the community beyond enforcement of order maintenance issues – public intoxication, disorderly conduct, etc. – to a partnership with homeless service providers that connects homeless individuals with social services and resources.

There are two facets to the HOST program, meter collections and bank donations.  The proceeds will go directly to providing servicers for  the homeless in the Salt Lake County area.  This is designed to encourage people to donate to homeless service providers in lieu of giving money directly to panhandling.

A HOST reference card enables police officers to reach participating homeless service providers with one phone call hopefully eliminating bureaucratic hurdles when truly needy individuals are ready and willing to accept assistance.  Organizations currently working to launch HOST include:

Catholic Community Services                Volunteer of America

Crossroads Urban Center                        Zion’s Bank

Downtown Alliance                                  Valley Mental Health

Salt Lake Chamber                                   The Road Home

Fourth Street Clinic                                  Salt Lake City Police Department

Operation Shine America, SLC                Salt Lake City Prosecutor’s Office

Salt Lake City

Postcards and window signs can be obtained from the Salt Lake City Police Department and may be used to educate the public and solicit support form the business community.  Business interested in supporting the program and sponsoring a meter may obtain further information by contacting Sgt. Michelle Ross Salt Lake City Police Department at Michelle.Ross@slcgov.com

Supporting the HOST program:

Donations are accepted at clearly identified and designated red HOST parking meters in the Central Business District,. This program was developed in conjunction with the Downtown Alliance and the Salt Lake Chamber.

Tax deductible: contributions to the HOST account can also be made at any Zions Bank branch in Utah.  The HOST account is a subsidiary account of the newly-formed Pamela J. Atkinson Foundation.

For more information, click here.