Utah’s Republican legislature let a Trump‑style proposal to relocate 1,300 homeless people to a peripheral campus die, citing cost overruns, civil‑rights concerns and vague treatment plans. Governor Spencer Cox and new homelessness coordinator Tyler Clancy still hold $45 million in discretionary funds to expand shelter beds, mental‑health services and “high‑utilizer” programs, keeping the core idea alive and maintain political momentum.

The original scheme, championed by Trump’s executive order targeting “vagrancy,” called for an “accountability center” where residents would face compulsory mental‑illness or addiction treatment. Officials projected construction at $75 million and annual operating costs of $34 million, but independent reviews warned the price could double and no clear clinical protocols existed. Officials feared property‑value declines and community backlash, and raised alarms among civil‑rights groups.

Instead of the campus, lawmakers approved $45 million to boost shelter capacity and intensify case management for people who repeatedly use emergency services. Tax‑increase revenue from a new tobacco levy will fund half the spend, requiring local matches. Critics argue the shift still prioritizes treatment over housing, but the funding represents a tangible step toward Utah’s controversial approach in the budget.