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House approves $7M homeless‑reform package to expand shelters and services
Summary
Lawmakers passed HB 436, a housing and homeless reform initiative proposing $7 million one‑time and $2.5 million ongoing to build or renovate shelters, fund transitional services and statewide grants; the House approved a substitute 72–0.
Representative Gibson presented HB 436 as a statewide response to concentrated homelessness, describing a $7 million one‑time request (with $2.5 million ongoing) to expand shelter capacity, renovate existing facilities and fund programmatic services that help people transition to permanent housing.
Gibson said the proposal dedicates $4 million of the one‑time funds for Salt Lake County and $3 million for statewide grants to support local shelters and services, and that proposals will be reviewed by the Pamela Atkinson Trust Fund and Executive Appropriations Committee before release. He described programmatic uses — employment training, life‑skills support and transitional housing — and emphasized that program dollars, not just capital spending, are essential to keep people housed.
Supporters, including Representative Briscoe and Representative Eliason, said grants should target subpopulations (families, transitional‑age youth, veterans, those with behavioral health disorders and those exiting incarceration) and noted the state’s prior success reducing chronic homelessness. Skeptical members raised concerns about local impacts when a shelter moves to year‑round operations; a substitute added contingency and mitigation language plus an additional seat on the Homeless Coordinating Committee to represent affected capital‑city residents.
The House adopted a friendly substitute and passed the first substitute for HB 436, 72–0; sponsor said projects will proceed through multiple approval steps and require local county/city coordination before funds are released.
Ending: The bill passed the House unanimously on first substitute and will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration and any appropriation action.
