From January 29–31, volunteers across Salt Lake County participated in the nation-wide 2026 Point-in-Time Count. This annual count determines how many people are currently experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping on the street, in shelters, or in places such as cars and parks. The data collected during the count informs forward-looking decision-making for homeless service providers throughout the county; in 2025, the Point-in-Time Count showed an 18% increase in homelessness compared to 2024.

For Fourth Street Clinic, the Point-in-Time Count is a critical tool for estimating the level of health care need among people experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake County, allowing us to scale and adapt both our in-clinic and outreach services so we can meet patients where they are. The need for the trauma-informed, integrated health care we provide continues to grow and, currently, we are forced to turn away approximately 25% of walk-in patients due to the constraints of our clinical space.

Fourth Street Clinic is actively working to secure the funds needed to rebuild our current site, ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness can access the care they need. In contrast to a $1,500 emergency room visit or costly hospitalization, Fourth Street Clinic spends only $500. Therefore, the preventative care provided at our clinic is not only cost-effective, but results in huge money savings for our community. If a patient falls below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, the most they would ever pay for a clinic visit is $4.

Without care, many patients face significantly higher risks of developing complex health conditions – many of which are either directly caused or worsened by homelessness itself.
Consider managing diabetes, asks our Medical Director, Van Aston; “How can diabetics manage blood sugar through diet changes if they have nowhere to cook fresh food and vegetables? How can someone clean a wound daily if they don’t have access to a shower? These are things many people don’t realize they take for granted.”

In addition:

  • Long-term exposure to the elements weakens the immune system and keeps patients in a constant state of fight-or-flight.
  • Infections such as strep throat or MRSA spread quickly within shelter systems, and for patients with COPD, the risk of severe lung infections increases dramatically.
  • Chronic lack of sleep and personal safety leads to ongoing stress, which is proven to have serious and lasting impacts on health.

“We know that quality sleep is foundational to long-term health outcomes,” Van explains. “Living on the street or in shelters means patients are always on guard, even while sleeping. The data on chronic stress is clear – it can even alter your DNA.” Our patients’ experiences have consistently demonstrated that stable resources, access to health care, and housing support are vital to healthy outcomes. Ann Schmitt, MD, recently saw David for a diabetes checkup. “He had cut his diabetes numbers in half,” she shares. “When I asked what had changed, he told me he had received reduced housing and could finally cook his own meals.”

The Point-in-Time Count makes one reality unmistakably clear: as homelessness increases, so does the demand for accessible, integrated health care. Fourth Street Clinic stands at the intersection of these needs, providing care that stabilizes health, reduces emergency room utilization, and helps patients take meaningful steps toward recovery and independence. Expanding our facility is not simply a matter of space – it is an essential investment in public health, fiscal responsibility, and human dignity.

To learn more about our Capital Campaign, click here.

Fourth Street Clinic team members and volunteers after the 2026 Point-in-Time Count.