Davis County commissioners will hear a proposal Tuesday, Aug. 25, to lease 12 apartments for homeless residents and cover most of their rent, a new approach as the state shifts away from winter-only shelter funding.

The Master Leasing Transitional Housing Program, presented by community services manager Ryan Steinbeigle at the commission's work session, would have the county negotiate leases on units across one or more locations and sub-lease them to homeless individuals for up to 24 months. Tenants would pay 30% of their monthly income toward rent; the county would cover the rest. Participants must also pass background checks.

The program is tied to a state grant for innovative homelessness solutions, according to the commission's agenda packet. Utah eliminated its winter overflow and Code Blue funding and is instead offering roughly $2.7 million statewide for year-round proposals, with a maximum award of $550,000 and an estimated five to six grants available. Davis County previously received $110,000 annually under the previous Code Blue model.

The shift is significant.

All participants would be required to engage in case management through Open Doors, including mental and behavioral health services, drug and alcohol counseling through Davis Behavioral Health, and workforce development through Davis Tech, Weber State and the Department of Workforce Services. Domestic violence survivors would be directed to Safe Harbor with four dedicated beds; youth to the Teen Living Center with four beds.

Program costs, including staff salaries, rents and insurance, would be covered by the state grant, with possible supplemental Community Development Block Grant funds.

The proposal builds on the commission's July 28 unanimous vote to purchase 5.258 acres of vacant land in Clearfield for $4 million for a permanent supportive housing project, contingent on a Section 108 HUD loan guarantee. That deal, approved on motions by commissioners John Crofts and Lorene Kamalu, includes a refundable $50,000 escrow with a Nov. 2 deadline to proceed, according to commission minutes.

Commission to review General Plan draft

The same work session will feature a 30-minute presentation of the county's General Plan Draft, the land-use blueprint governing development in unincorporated areas of Davis County.

Kent Andersen, director of Community & Economic Development, will lead the presentation alongside planning manager Jeff Oyler, planner Jenny Bloemen and Valeria Claussen.

At a June 4 Planning Commission meeting, members criticized an 82-page draft as too long and requested it be condensed into plain language stating the county's core position: that unincorporated areas should generally seek annexation into cities rather than expect county-led development. The county's goal is to formally adopt the updated plan and rewrite zoning and building ordinances by the end of 2026, before newly elected officials take office.

The General Plan also addresses development restrictions tied to Hill Air Force Base, including an "AQ zone" limiting construction in areas affected by F-35 noise and flight-path hazards.

The work session begins at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Davis County Administration Building, 61 South Main St., Suite 306, Farmington. The commission's regular meeting follows at 10 a.m. The next commission work sessions are scheduled for Sept. 1 and Sept. 8.