Gov. Spencer Cox holds news conference at PBS Utah on Sept. 21 in Salt Lake City. Photo: Francisco Kjolseth/Salt Lake Tribune/pool
Gov. Spencer Cox said on Thursday he supports eliminating unsanctioned camping as state and city officials work to reduce homelessness in Salt Lake City.
What he's saying: "I refuse to let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco or Portland," Cox told reporters at his monthly news conference, referring to each municipality's homeless crisis.
- "We will not allow that to happen in our capital city," he said.
State of play: Cox's statement comes a week after state and Salt Lake City officials announced the downtown location of a temporary shelter community for people experiencing homelessness.
- Advocates have long argued for more short-term solutions to address homelessness, such as sanctioned camping.
By the numbers: Between 2020 and 2022, the number of Utahns who became homeless for the first time rose by 27%, according to state figures.
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