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House adopts bill creating a single state director for homelessness after vigorous debate
Summary
Second substitute HB 394 creates a state director position to coordinate homelessness policy and prioritization of funding; supporters cited audits and the need for centralized accountability while opponents warned about over-centralization and rural representation. The House approved the measure and forwarded it to the Senate.
Representative Coleman presented second substitute House Bill 394 as the "Phase 3" continuation of Operation Rio Grande. The bill designates a single state director for homelessness to lead a statewide plan, prioritize funding for evidence-based programs and act as an accountable official for outcomes.
Coleman invoked legislative audits (including a December 2018 audit) that found data and leadership weaknesses, arguing the state’s large investments in homelessness services require a single accountable director and improved data systems. He said the position and delayed implementation (proposed for July 1, 2021) were negotiated with stakeholders and that the homeless coordinating committee would remain an advisory body.
Opponents, including representatives from rural districts, expressed concern about concentrating authority and about equitable allocation of funding to non-Wasatch Front communities. Representative Snow, Daley-Provost and others asked about governance alternatives and urged sensitivity to rural needs; proponents pointed to a parallel study by an external institute (Gardner Institute of Policy) and delayed implementation as mitigation.
Representative Ray moved and the House adopted the second substitute; lengthy questioning covered audit scope, governance risks and the proposed delay to implementation. The House recorded passage of the second substitute (41 yes, 32 no) and the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
