The Salt Lake City Council continues putting off finding a designated location for a sanctioned homeless encampment. Instead they have set aside $500,000 to be given to churches and businesses to put up to ten tents and RVs on these properties. They haven’t limited the time that they will be allowed to keep individuals on the property.
The city has failed in having any requirements of grantees setting up homeless encampments. The city needs to ensure that if this is permitted, some requirements include assuring the grantees have informed their insurance company they will permit tents, RVs, etc., and require added liability insurance.
The grantees should be required to inform their neighbors within a five block area, in writing, of their intention of setting up encampments on the property. They need to have a 24 hour contact person for neighbors should an emergency or situation arise. They should be required to provide adequate bathroom facilities, running water and security on the property that will be hosting tents and RVs. They should limit the size of the tents/rvs, and number of people allowed.
Some churches, businesses will look at this as a money grab opportunity, if not given a firm set of requirements.
Instead of following through, finding a designated area for one or two larger sanctioned homeless camps, as they have been promising, the city is shirking its responsibility and placing it upon our neighborhoods.
The Salt Lake City Council needs to quit sitting on their behinds, find a proper, safe, larger area to place a designated sanctioned area for our unhoused people. Homeless encampments in our neighborhoods will be detrimental to those living in the areas and quality of life and safety for those families.
Angela Morgan, Salt Lake City
