2023 Utah Code › Title 35A - Utah Workforce Services Code › Chapter 16 - Office of Homeless Services › Part 2 - Office of Homeless Services › Section 203 - Powers and duties of the coordinator.

Effective 5/3/2023
35A-16-203.
Powers and duties of the coordinator.
(1) The coordinator shall:
(a) coordinate the provision of homeless services in the state;
(b) in cooperation with the homelessness council, develop and maintain a comprehensive annual budget and overview of all homeless services available in the state, which homeless services budget shall receive final approval by the homelessness council;
(c) in cooperation with the homelessness council, create a statewide strategic plan to minimize homelessness in the state, which strategic plan shall receive final approval by the homelessness council;
(d) in cooperation with the homelessness council, oversee funding provided for the provision of homeless services, which funding shall receive final approval by the homelessness council, including funding from the:
(i) Pamela Atkinson Homeless Account created in Section 35A-16-301;
(ii) Homeless to Housing Reform Restricted Account created in Section 35A-16-303; and
(iii) Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account created in Section 35A-16-402;
(e) provide administrative support to and serve as a member of the homelessness council;
(f) at the governor's request, report directly to the governor on issues regarding homelessness in the state and the provision of homeless services in the state; and
(g) report directly to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives at least twice each year on issues regarding homelessness in the state and the provision of homeless services in the state.
(2) The coordinator, in cooperation with the homelessness council, shall ensure that the homeless services budget described in Subsection (1)(b) includes an overview and coordination plan for all funding sources for homeless services in the state, including from state agencies, Continuum of Care organizations, housing authorities, local governments, federal sources, and private organizations.
(3) The coordinator, in cooperation with the homelessness council, shall ensure that the strategic plan described in Subsection (1)(c):
(a) outlines specific goals and measurable benchmarks for minimizing homelessness in the state and for coordinating services for individuals experiencing homelessness among all service providers in the state;
(b) identifies best practices and recommends improvements to the provision of services to individuals experiencing homelessness in the state to ensure the services are provided in a safe, cost-effective, and efficient manner;
(c) identifies best practices and recommends improvements in coordinating the delivery of services to the variety of populations experiencing homelessness in the state, including through the use of electronic databases and improved data sharing among all service providers in the state; and
(d) identifies gaps and recommends solutions in the delivery of services to the variety of populations experiencing homelessness in the state.
(4) In overseeing funding for the provision of homeless services as described in Subsection (1)(d), the coordinator:
(a) shall prioritize the funding of programs and providers that have a documented history of successfully reducing the number of individuals experiencing homelessness, reducing the time individuals spend experiencing homelessness, moving individuals experiencing homelessness to permanent housing, or reducing the number of individuals who return to experiencing homelessness; and
(b) except for a program or provider providing services to victims of domestic violence, may not approve funding to a program or provider that does not enter into a written agreement with the office to collect and share HMIS data regarding the provision of services to individuals experiencing homelessness so that the provision of services can be coordinated among state agencies, local governments, and private organizations.
(5) In cooperation with the homelessness council, the coordinator shall update the annual statewide budget and the strategic plan described in this section on an annual basis.
(6)
(a) On or before October 1, the coordinator shall provide a written report to the department for inclusion in the department's annual written report described in Section 35A-1-109.
(b) The written report shall include:
(i) the homeless services budget;
(ii) the strategic plan;
(iii) recommendations regarding improvements to coordinating and providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness in the state; and
(iv) in coordination with the homelessness council, a complete accounting of the office's disbursement of funds during the previous fiscal year from:
(A) the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Account created in Section 35A-16-301;
(B) the Homeless to Housing Reform Restricted Account created in Section 35A-16-303;
(C) the Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account created in Section 35A-16-402;
(D) the COVID-19 Homeless Housing and Services Grant Program created in Section 35A-16-602; and
(E) any other grant program created in statute that is administered by the office.
Amended by Chapter 302, 2023 General Session