The contribution is part of $3.5 million Intermountain is giving to homeless and housing advocacy groups in Utah, Colorado, Nevada and Montana.

The donation to United Way will be paid in three annual installments of $100,000, which began last year. The Rocky Mountain Homes Funds, which partners with United Way of Northern Utah, has served 46 families to date, 21 of which are families of Intermountain caregivers.

“Housing stability is a major contributor to positive health outcomes,” said Megan Mahncke, Intermountain Health’s chief marketing and communications officer. “Unfortunately, those experiencing homelessness may face barriers such as high rent, inflation and a deficit of affordable housing. Intermountain is committed to working with community partners to help those in need find housing they can afford.”

According to the Homeless Management Information System and the annual Point-in-Time and Housing Inventory counts, in 2022, more Utahns were affected by homelessness compared to previous years, with a 10% increase, or 8,637 people experiencing homelessness for the first time, and a 5% increase in those who have been homeless multiple times.

A total of $375,000 also will be contributed to the Utah Nonprofit Housing Corp. to help establish the Utah Housing Preservation Fund, an evergreen investment fund to preserve existing affordable housing throughout the state into perpetuity.

“Intermountain Health is fully committed to help unhoused communities access housing, medical care and behavioral services,” Mahncke said. “This is done best by partnering with existing local organizations who have programs that can make a difference for families and individuals in need. This helps our overall goal to help communities become healthier.”