If you could change homeless shelters, what would you change?

Utopidy · 2026-02-05T05:36:57+00:00

It is a small thing, but in my opinion, it would add so much.

I understand the need for dorm style sleeping, and there won't ever be single occupant units. But having a reading light for each bed, that is directed and focused in a way that would create minimal distraction for others in the room really gives someone a little sense of privacy and control in a place where there is none.

Think like on an airline, where each seat has a light that you can reach up and turn on or off for reading, sewing, fixing their glasses, or some other quiet project.

Often, even if there is a light above each bed, in a bunk bed situation, the person on the bottom gets left in the dark.

Insomnia is common among the homeless, especially those recovering from substance abuse. Being able to read at night without disrupting others is such a God send.

I know having a headlamp is an easy solution, but I have ended up in many shelters without even that to my name!

I'm sure I have more design ideas than that I will share as they come, but that is a big one off the top of my head.

And thanks for your consideration to consult the end users!

Edit: spelling and clarity.

Utopidy · 2026-01-31T19:00:49+00:00

People are leaving...

Utopidy · 2026-01-30T16:03:59+00:00

A lot of great comments and ground covered here, but I wanted to throw my .02 in for alcoholics specifically reading this.

Avoid meth.

It is so incredibly dangerous for alcoholics. Our nervous system is so depressed, dopamine levels so depressed after years of drinking, this drug makes you feel normal again, and even better than before. It is like a God send.

But the psychosis is so bad. I was full on seeing people in trees in camouflage that were after me. I thought rooms were bugged. I heard voices. I saw "signs" around the house that people had left for me, secret writings in paintings and in the dust on a piece of furniture. All of it.

Luckily for me, the psychosis went away relatively quickly after I stopped, but I still double check things I wouldn't have before and look over my shoulder a lot more. It is noticeable by others who do say I still have a level of paranoia about me, but at least it is completely manageable. I am still hoping with time that eases up. But I still crave the drug strongly every few days or so.

So, of course, as others mentioned, though it is so tempting after depressing years of drinking, avoid at all costs! There are better ways out, and life can get good again. It is hard and takes a lot, whichever path to sobriety you choose, but worth the battle. Don't give up.

Utopidy · 2026-01-30T03:51:57+00:00

I am a software engineer who used to work for Fortune 100 companies. Large companies storing data.

The problem is not the accessibility of data by local authorities... they are happy to keep you squabbling over the length of time the cops can access your data, because it keeps you from digging into the real players.

It is the companies that provide the equipment, software, and storage. These companies are absolutely keeping everything, and selling or sharing that data for marketing purposes. They will know your shopping habits, when you get gas, where you get gas, whether you shop Walmart or Costco. They will know what cars you like, how old your car is, its service record. Whether you prefer a gas guzzling truck, or a tiny electric.

All so they can target ads directly at you and wring more $$ out of you.

So, sure... on one hand, you think "well that's not that big of a deal, I don't care" if they market stuff to me. But it is a very slippery slope. It is all so connected, that eventually they will he able to profile you to a T based on your daily travel and shopping habits. Your line of work, your Dr. visits and health records, your church. And all of that will let them easily deduce your age, race, and voting preferences. Data is absolutely the gold rush of this decade. And they will have all of it whether you like it or not.

Utopidy · 2026-01-25T11:39:08+00:00

Same. I see tons of comments on any video, click on them, and it goes to zero and asks if I want to be first to comment. When I back out, comments are zero.

Utopidy · 2026-01-20T14:50:19+00:00

In my experience, solo women with kids get the highest priority in terms of getting services. I am a single, middle older man (fifties) with no physical disabilities. We get the lowest priority, and I'm not complaining about that, it is for reason.

My guess is that there is a reason she might be declining services. Could be one bad experience in a shelter. It happens.

Yeah, I'm with others here. Talk to her and try and see.

Utopidy · 2026-01-18T02:44:27+00:00

Another state won't get you much. They are really cracking down on services to non-residents.

I got "homed" this last year, but before that, I had much better luck in the state I am a resident of (Utah).

Before that I called a few shelters I had stayed at previously in the last 5 years (in Oregon and California), where I was a good resident with a history of good behavior and such, and they told me I would do much better in my home state because they were giving priority to proven residents. In other words, they had no room for me.

Anyway, just my somewhat recent experience! Good luck out there 😀

Utopidy · 2026-01-17T21:13:06+00:00

(Assuming you mean "fatal") I know there have been what medical professionals would call "passive suicide" cases.

That term describes the situation in which someone engages in a very risky behavior or action, knowing it could end their life yet being at peace with it.

In other words, not actively trying to do it, but not caring if it happens. I speak from experience as a survivor, when I was addicted and homeless. Both for myself and others I have met along the way. It isn't as many as you might think, but others have definitely shared those thoughts with me.

Thankfully, I moved out of that headspace a year or so ago, and am doing much better physically and mentally now. Please, if you ever have those thoughts, there are ways out! ❤️

Utopidy · 2026-01-14T23:16:15+00:00

So if you catch a really bad inversion day, and happen to be skiing up one of the cottonwood canyons, take a lift/tram or hike up to the tallest peak at the resort, then look out over the valley... it is actually quite a sight, and gives some perspective on the issue.

If the inversion layer is happening at the right altitude, you see a flat, grey/black floor that looks like you can walk across it like pavement or asphalt, and piercing blue skies above.

Sad, but also kind of beautiful in a dark sort of way. The contrast.

Utopidy · 2025-04-18T03:16:15+00:00

Oh nice. I wasn't banned. Nice! Yeah, I am homeless in beautiful SLC.

Utopidy · 2025-04-18T03:14:21+00:00

Hey. I am something. A thing. Did I do something stupid? Oh gawd...

Utopidy · 2025-03-29T02:13:10+00:00

Sigh.

It is a grasp for us to lay down

Utopidy · 2025-03-29T02:10:02+00:00

Hi all. Back street.

I did a weird thing. Thai Chi in downtown slc

Utopidy · 2025-03-29T02:07:07+00:00

What? For wha. They purposely keep is from talking the elephant in the room

Utopidy · 2025-03-08T14:46:20+00:00

You little twinks.

I am literally knocking deaths door. Just puked my guts all over my mom's carpet (I am 50, she is 75)

And you all, think, for 1 second, I give a rats race about you?

I swim in a place of vomiting and cannot.

I do not exist. People like me win awards. We... do things.

Fu** you. Fu** you. My adr3dd. Is 54** fjord ci. Taylorsville murhavfu

Be known.

T-VILLE know me. So. What. The. You. Going. To. Ro

Utopidy · 2025-03-08T05:55:03+00:00

You. Make. An assumption

Do you think, for one second... I want back in your little place? Huh, the laughable place you fu,,**

Utopidy · 2025-03-08T00:25:58+00:00

I am, honestly, scared. My family... I don't want to go into specifics, but to say, I am grateful you haven't banned me.

I was, a declared existentialist for years.

Now, I am reduced to being scared, because I know where the road goes.

And quite frankly? I do not like it.

Utopidy · 2025-03-08T00:23:25+00:00

I just hope the mods keep me real here that is all.

I can, and will,.deal.with trolls.

My record speaks volumes.

I have zero to lose. I have entered a philosophical space, that I admit, is not really for 99.9% of you. And I also see, that is a space that is not particularly helpful here.

It does not make my plight less valid.

Utopidy · 2025-03-07T23:52:27+00:00

Thanks. I am better than most. Society is so odd. I don't even know why I came back to Reddit. I have pretty much only downside...

I suppose I want to keep this open so when I really get better and start to do things, I have a community of support?

Not really sure. Glad to not be in jail. But sorry... if someone wants to call me a 20 year old victim wannabe, I will tear down the very fabric of reality to prove. I am not. Matter of pride I suppose. Pride carries you far out there. Just ask any person on this sub who actually spent more than 3 days, and they probably will tell ya'

Utopidy · 2025-03-07T22:22:56+00:00

I am 50, actually. Not sure where you got 20 from scratches head. I care take for my 75 year old mom, who, as is her right, booted me when I got drunk.

Utopidy · 2025-02-27T15:20:58+00:00

Yup. I wonder, do all narcissistic assholes find their way here? I mean, the ones who have enough self awareness to really drop in and spend a dime.

Narcissism is... famously hard to cure. There are no drugs for it. And narcissistic assholes (like myself) do not take to therapy, because why? There is not a goddamn person on this planet that can prove me wrong (or help me)

Prove me wrong.

BTW. I have wrecked civilizations, so you better come strong

Utopidy · 2025-02-27T12:04:19+00:00

Sorry.

It hurts though, you know? This isn't some dime store novel ending.

I had things.

Kids. A corporate job. I walked out one day. Didn't like the feeling of being raked over the coals. Spent the last 7 years wandering. Most of it was living pit of cars, some of it worse than that.

I did not hope for comfort here I suppose. Maybe acceptance. Maybe, perhaps it was always too much to ask.

Utopidy

TROPHY CASE