Utah County opens its annual warming centers Tuesday night
Oct 15, 2024, 8:00 PM
FILE: A man stands at one of three homeless tent camps in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Warming centers benefitting Utah’s homeless population in Utah County were expected to open on Tuesday night. The centers are a part of the Utah County Winter Response Task Force’s Winter Response Plan.
The warming center locations listed below will be open to those experiencing homelessness from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Monday’s and Tuesday’s: The Genesis Project, Provo location
- Wednesday’s: Utah County Public Works Red Warehouse
- Thursday’s: Provo Seventh-Day Adventist Church
- Friday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s: Utah County Public Works Red Warehouse
The Warming Centers cannot house children. Families will be offered other accommodations.
A press release indicated the centers will remain open and available until April 30, 2025.
Homelessness in Utah is on the rise
According to a survey conducted in 2023, Utah is experiencing about a 4% annual increase in its homeless population. Accordingly, Utah County’s warming centers aren’t the only shelters opening to help the homeless.
In September, Davis County opened a new facility to help up to 16 teenagers with housing insecurity. The state is helping battle homelessness with a permanent microshelter community that also opened in September 2024.
The End Utah Homelessness nonprofit offers information about multiple homeless shelters and other resources available across Utah.
Looking for a service project?
Community Action Executive Director Karen McCandless said the warming centers needs volunteers.
“I can’t sugar-coat the reality: We desperately need people to step up to help,” McCandless said in the press release. “Spread the word to your families, neighbors, co-workers, church members and anyone else to join us.
“Homelessness is a community issue, and we can’t ignore it. We would love to work with all of you to be part of our winter response.”
People who want to volunteer can sign up at the Warming Center website. Trained social workers and staff will work side-by-side with volunteers.
Related:
- Local leaders react to SCOTUS ruling to ban homeless people sleeping outdoors
- National and Utah homeless population growing
