Salt Lake business leaders show support for governor’s budget plan to help homeless people in Utah
Feb 20, 2024, 7:00 PM
The West Valley overflow shelter in West Valley is pictured on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Chamber, leadership from local businesses and the state’s homeless coordinator gathered on Tuesday to send a message to the Utah legislature. They called on lawmakers to support the governor’s latest budget plan to support the state’s homeless population.
Related: Gov. Cox releases budget plan to improve homelessness resources in Utah
The Salt Lake Chamber hosted the meeting alongside business leadership from City Creek Center and Little America Hotel.
The Salt Lake Chamber and business leaders are strongly urging the Utah legislature to support Governor Cox’s comprehensive homelessness appropriation budget requests. https://t.co/afCln7JHVO #utpol #utleg pic.twitter.com/plMAMwnKcp
— Salt Lake Chamber (@saltlakechamber) February 20, 2024
The chamber’s President and CEO Derek Miller said the recently opened microshelters were making a difference downtown.
“This improvement is thanks in part to the 600 temporary winter shelter beds and increased enforcement of no-camping laws,” Miller said.
Related: ‘Home sweet home’: Life in Salt Lake’s temporary housing units
The state’s Homeless Coordinator Wayne Niederhauser also spoke at the event.
He echoed the chamber’s support for a more permanent solution.
“What we need is a facility that we can run year-round and people can stay in it until they get back on their feet,” Niederhauser said.
Apart from creating a year-round facility, the budget would also support law enforcement and behavioral services.
