ABC 4 News: Ahead of Utah legislative session, homeless advocates highlight priorities

https://youtu.be/R4WUc6HcHP4?is=B0STt5QdwpSG7DDR

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Dozens of people from differing backgrounds gathered at the Utah Capitol on Jan. 15, urging lawmakers to adopt compassionate solutions for those experiencing homelessness ahead of the legislative session that begins next week.

This gathering brought together religious leaders, advocates and individuals currently facing homelessness, all united to highlight the need for more humane treatment and innovative approaches to assist people in regaining stability.

According to Unsheltered Utah Executive Director Merinda Cutler homelessness in Utah has increased by about 18 percent in 2025 alone, more than 4,500 individuals needed a place to sleep on any given night.

Travis Ressler, who has experienced homelessness for about seven years, expressed the need for solidarity. He stated, “Stand forward with us and say that you need to work together with us. We are not the enemy,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration in combating homelessness. Ressler shared his story of hardship, saying, “Things were good and then it really went bad. It was hard to catch up. It’s been a steamroller.” This after he and his mother lost their home after the death of his father.

Cutler also mentioned the impact of harsh conditions on those living unsheltered. On particularly cold nights, referred to as “code blue nights,” about 140 people come into two churches providing shelter.

She highlighted the urgent need for adjustments to current laws that govern warming center activations, suggesting, “We see people who come in and have frostbite which can lead to amputations.” Cutler requested that lawmakers raise the trigger temperature for opening warming centers, allowing them to operate at temperatures above the existing law’s threshold. She said this could actually cut costs for taxpayers in the long-term.

Ksenya Kniazeva, Executive Director of Nomad Alliance, called for immediate and creative solutions. “We need solutions that are immediate, we need solutions that are cheap, we need solutions that we can implement easily and we cannot be afraid to fail because we are failing the people out on the streets every single day.

“They are dying,” she said. This organization currently operates a mobile shelter that has not seen any fatalities or overdoses, marking a significant success in their operations. She added: “We run a big blue bus that’s a mobileshelter, we renovated it with volunteer labor, and we have people from the streets that manage it and live on it for their community. We’ve never had a death, we’ve never had on OD, we’ve never had to call the police.” 

Kniazeva explained that this is something the state could lean into. She called for designated parking zones where mobile shelter can operate. Nomad Alliance would also like to see the implementation of approved camping areas that have bathrooms and security (like cameras) on site.

Senator Nate Blouin of Salt Lake City was at the rally as well. He is sponsoring a bill to conduct a statewide analysis to better understand housing needs, so the state can better plan for low-income individuals.

Additionally, Governor Spencer Cox is considering a budget proposal that allocates $50 million to address homelessness, funding capital expenses, ongoing operational costs and short-term stabilization needs. Much of this would likely be used in the construction and operation of the state’s new 1,300 bed homeless campus.

As the session begins next Thursday, advocates will continue to monitor potential legislation aimed at improving conditions for those without homes.

Travis Ressler is a nomad we transported and invited to speak at the Crossroads Urban Center rally.

Hobbit, as he goes by, was a nomad and team member who came and spoke during our allotted time at the rally.

Micheal, his partner Sky, and baby Miciah attended the rally and spoke during Nomad's allotted time. All were homeless at this time, and had stayed three nights on our Blue Bus during it's renovation and the first inaugural night the Bus was on the streets.

Kseniya Kniazeva, Founder and Executive Director of the Nomad Alliance was invited to speak at this rally organized by Crossroads Urban Center and ceded her 2 minutes to the 8 nomads the Alliance transported to this rally. Out of the 20 people who were given 2 minutes to speak, only 6 minutes were taken by unsheltered folks speaking about their goals for this legislative session, because Kseniya gave her minutes and pushed to give the unsheltered more time to speak. This is a big part of our work, to highlight and amplify the voices and stories of those living this reality. It is so important that the unsheltered have a say in the programs and appropriations catering to their welfare, or lack thereof.

To read full article on ABC4 News website click here: https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/utah-capitol-homelessness-solutions/

To watch the video of the coverage on the ABC4 Youtube click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4WUc6HcHP4