Residents of Salt Lake City's "transient hotels" can receive a free screening for numerous health problems, including tuberculosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and weight. And they'll also find help to apply for food, work and legal programs.
The outreach is available to people staying in the 300 rooms of four single-room occupancies downtown: The Regis, Windsor, Cambridge and Stratford."My sense is this is a population that kind of falls in between (programs) a lot," said Steve Johnson, director of Utahns Against Hunger, one of the screening's sponsors. "There are populations where the services are better defined. A lot of (single-room occupancy) residents have been homeless, but when they were in that situation they were directed to services. Once they leave homelessness, they are not as aware of what is available. It's a very isolated population anyway, a lot of it by choice."
Besides medical screening, state and local agencies will help people apply for food stamps and Supplemental Security Income for those with disabilities, said Johnson. Representatives will also be available from the Veteran's Administration, a homeless legal project and the Emergency Work Program, as well as referral to other programs as needed.
The new Wasatch Homeless Health Clinic, which serves homeless people, plans to do follow-up testing and treatment for people who need it. And Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, which operates out of the clinic, will provide dental care.
Volunteers will also be handing out coupons to local restaurants and grocery stores to encourage SRO residents to take advantage of the screening. It will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 251 S. State St.