Homelessness is a gowing concern and one that I have worked on both at the state and local level. As mayor, I would work to bring all parties to the table from across Utah County–state, city, and county officials, non-profits, school districts, and churches, those with lived experience, and others who are interested– to create a strategic plan with evidenced based solutions to address homelessness in compassionate, fiscally responsible, and data driven ways.
Provo is unfairly bearing the brunt of this issue, especially our communities in south Provo and Downtown, and we will continue to do so unless we work with our neighboring cities and the County to create solutions that work.
Homelessness is complex and there is no “one size fits all” solution. Different populations require different strategies and resources. We have families and individuals who need a little help to get back on their feet, those suffering from severe mental illness and/or addictions, teens who have no family support, students who can’t afford both rent and tuition, seniors who can no longer afford their expenses, and those fleeing domestic violence (our DV shelter only has 25 beds and hundreds seek help every year). Utah County has amazing nonprofits and churches that do so much in this space; but they can’t do it alone.