Homelessness

A shift away from permanent supportive housing vouchers would force disabled Utahns out of their homes. One advocate calls it a lose-lose for residents and landlords.

Since 2022, Los Angeles County has used a predictive AI model to help it identify who is at risk for homelessness. That has some Utah leaders, including incoming state homeless coordinator Tyler Clancy, intrigued.

Gov. Spencer Cox said this year's budget was tight, but he carved out $25 million in one-time money plus an ongoing $20 million for Utah’s new approach to homelessness that aligns with a Trump executive order.

A proposal from the Cicero Institute suggests using a portion of Utah's opioid settlement funds to invest in the homeless campus. Organisations that work in harm reduction are skeptical and say this is not what that money is intended for.

It’s not a done deal, but the housing authority hopes to close on the property before the year ends — and ahead of a deadline before losing $1 million in funding.

“I figure I can't fix homelessness, but I can at least help some best friends go to bed with full bellies,” said Street Dawg Crew volunteer Micky Baker.

Utah’s Homeless Services Board has proposed a consolidation of the state’s three Continua of Care councils. The fear is that change could redirect statewide funding toward Salt Lake’s new homeless campus project.

Federal and local authorities have made headlines recently for clearing homeless camps from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles. That concerns advocates in St. George who hope it doesn’t signal a shift in how the country approaches homelessness.

A 1,300-bed homeless campus is planned for northwest Salt Lake City, but the nearest public transportation option is 2.5 miles away. Some stakeholders worry the transportation gap will steer individuals away from the campus and the services it provides.

Starting Sept. 1, a new law will restrict one of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s main methods to control jail overcrowding. Advocates say expanding the jail won’t solve the issue, and the county is failing to address the root of the problem.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the city has improved ”the pieces of the system that we control,” and the Legislature now needs to take action to help.

Mayor Erin Mendenhall said Salt Lake City has made “tremendous progress” on its safety plan, but she’s disappointed that the Legislature hasn’t acted on more recommendations.