Homelessness

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.

With the new revenue source, which launched in November, the state is better poised to meet this winter’s overflow shelter needs.

Salt Lake County has mapped out cool zones for people to get out of the heat, and groups like the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake provide water, sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats.

The city’s public safety plan, which took effect in January, calls for increased law enforcement and aggressive prosecution of crimes downtown.

Ogden City Council authorized the city’s purchase of the Aspen Assisted Living facility, sending the Weber Housing Authority looking for a new site.

With a fire code exception from Ogden City, the Lantern House shelter will open 50 additional beds through April 30 when regular beds are full, regardless of code blue status.

The mayor’s new 50-page public safety plan for Salt Lake City details 27 city actions and 23 recommendations that will need city, state and county collaboration.

Some Ogden city officials want more homeownership and wealth in the East Central neighborhood, but the county housing authority wants their facilities to be close to services.

“November and December, it's oftentimes hard to find spots to volunteer in our kitchens and in donation rooms,” said Dan Benshoff of Volunteers of America Utah.

The Know-by-Name system is already being piloted in Weber County. Rep. Tyler Clancy is eyeing a similar statewide system.

Pinkney and Rachelle Morris, her Republican opponent, met for lunch on Monday. While “the votes didn't quite go our way,” Morris said, “there's a lot to celebrate here in what we accomplished.”

Some residents argue a code blue shelter would bring crime and drugs to their neighborhoods, but research on a similar temporary shelter suggests the impact may be small.