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Solutions Utah: Policy Advocate Leaders
Our mission is to forge public policies that improve the vitality, safety and livability of our communities. Through sound coalition-building strategies, we strive to preserve and protect best practices that enable cities to thrive.
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Highlights from the 2026 Solutions Utah Conference
Highlights from the 2026 Solutions Utah Conference
Homeless housing policies that emphasize “treatment with rules” versus no rules is the current focus of HUD’s homeless strategies, said Robert Marbut, HUD Senior Advisor, at Solutions Utah’s annual conference. He also lauded the successful efforts of more than three dozen “blue-city” mayors. Gloria Gong, with the Kennedy School of Government, concurred that housing without targeted support leads to ineffective results. Switchpoint CEO Carol Hollowell received SU’s Community Leadership Award while John Douglas Clapp, founder of the North Temple Community Improvement Alliance, received SU’s Garbett Award.
numbers you should know
Est. cost of supporting 1,021 "high utilizers*" in SLC with medical, court, law enforcement & housing services
*Individuals with a high number of arrest warrants, homelessness and drug possession.
priorities for 2026
Support Governor Spencer Cox’s Three Pillars for combating homelessness:
- Accountability for High Utilizers who chronically cycle through jails, ERs and the system.
- Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing that includes expansion of on-demand facilities and supportive, drug free housing.
- Improve Mental and Behavioral Health Capacity with a more robust mental health system and workforce.
Support new state laws that prohibit camping and create drug free zones, not only in public parks, but all public spaces as well as the elimination of harm reduction syringe exchange programs.
Back reform of the Salt Lake County DA’s office as recommended in the 2025 legislative audit.
Build broad-based support for the new matching mitigation fund formula under review, including the greater role non-shelter cities would play.
Advocate for cutting edge technology that advances municipal law enforcement capabilities throughout the state. Raise greater awareness for adequate police force staffing to combat homeless, crime and drug problems.
Take a leadership role in working with communities and community councils to form partnerships that produce viable and lasting public safety improvements, not short-term fixes. Build alliances with law enforcement and other grass roots entities to tangibly reduce community threats.
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