Stay Tuned for the State of the City!

The people of Provo are its ‘secret sauce’ to success and you’re also the reason we work hard to make our community an attractive choice to live, work, and play. I’m proud of Provo and I’m looking forward to unveiling the city’s first mission statement, as well as highlighting achievements and announcing plans for the future of Provo City at this year’s State of the City.

Our new mission statement is ‘Exceptional Care for an Exceptional Community’, with the word ‘exceptional’ capturing the high expectations we are setting for service delivery to residents. The mission statement reflects the need for a city and its community to work together to achieve lasting success. I’m pleased to showcase other leaders offering exceptional service in our community.

On Thursday, February 2 we will start rolling out the State of the City address in a series of videos. So save the date and stay tuned for more details!

Emergency Hotel Voucher Program Offers Shelter

“Come in out of the cold” is the message being sent to any experiencing homelessness in Provo City. And while Utah County doesn’t have physical overnight homeless shelters, Provo City Police Department is spreading the word about its partnership with Community Action Services and Food Bank to provide emergency hotel vouchers to those seeking refuge during cold weather.

Emergency Hotel Vouchers

“The most important message is that no one need remain unsheltered in Provo. There is help, not only to escape the cold, but with additional services designed to make a lasting impact,” said Chief Troy Beebe. “If anyone is seeking shelter, we are providing shelter. No questions asked.”

Our emergency shelter program offers a warm, overnight hotel stay as a short-term solution, with access to long-term services. There are places to stay if they choose to, and most importantly, those options are safe for those most vulnerable, who do need our protection and help.

"We at Community Action Services and Food Bank are grateful for the many partners we have in providing emergency motel vouchers and other services to the homeless community. We have seen firsthand the compassion the Provo Police and Fire Departments have for the most vulnerable in our community,” said Karen McCandless, CEO of Community Action Services and Food Bank.

“The true story behind homelessness is much more complex than a headline, with each person needing individualized help. A shelter without wraparound services is a safety problem for those within, as well as the surrounding community,” said Beebe. “A shelter without rules is historically a haven for all crimes, including assaults, thefts, sexual assaults, and an increasing amount of controlled substance abuse and distribution.”

“Shelters with wraparound services, such as those offered by our community partners, are necessary for true change,” said Beebe. “The Emergency Voucher Program is outreach intended to offer safe shelter, in addition to access to those necessary services.”

Our partners are crucial in coordinating life-saving access to shelter. We’re equally grateful for the motels who are willing to partner in sheltering the unsheltered and for the State of Utah for providing funding for the motel stays. The street outreach teams with Wasatch Behavioral Health are out every day helping our homeless friends learn about resources and services available to them. The Food and Care Coalition provides meals and on-site support services to help, as well.

“As a community, our officers get to know our transient citizens personally and offer help regularly,” said Janna-Lee Holland, Provo City Police Public Information Officer. “To both chronically homeless and those newly encountered, our officers offer resources and respect the response. If the offer is refused, they often give what they can, whether a snack, meal or hot coffee.”

Not only does the emergency shelter program help during cold weather, but it also provides a safe alternative to illegal homeless encampments, often rife with crime. “Provo City has an ordinance that requires a permit to camp,” said Beebe. “The way we enforce this, however, is with compassion and not an iron fist. We offer safety, not suspicion.”

“There is a ready option for those wanting to leave unsafe encampments for safety and services,” said Beebe. “It is the best option.”

Camping Ordinance

Provo City adopted Ordinance 2017-05 on March 1, 2017. Of the need for the ordinance, then Provo Mayor John Curtis said, “[It provides] one more tool in our toolbox to address the root causes and the symptoms of homelessness. The ordinance is designed to protect the safety of people who are camping or sleeping in places where they might be injured or harmed. It also protects the safety of people who are walking or driving in areas and might be impeded by people sleeping in the area.”

Provo City’s camping ordinance prohibits sleeping on publicly owned transit-related properties like streets, sidewalks, parking strips, and driveways connected to public property. It also prohibits camping on other public property, such as parks, without prior authorization when there is no overnight shelter space available. It specifically exempts activities like camping for the Freedom Festival Grand Parade if done in compliance with other city ordinances and is not intended to prohibit picnicking or resting in a park during normal park hours.

Homelessness Outreach

In addition to offering safe shelter, Provo City partners with community organizations for a coordinated, comprehensive homelessness outreach.

“Our community is working together to try to create lasting solutions,” said Holland. “Provo City partners with many skilled organizations trained to care and serve our homeless population in many different ways.”

“Patrol officers often alert the Community-Oriented Policing (COP) team to vulnerable individuals during weekly partnership meetings, so those at Wasatch Behavioral Health, the Food & Care Coalition, or even Utah Department of Children & Family Services can be aware of current concerns, and perhaps do some targeted outreach,” said Holland.

Housing Services

Wasatch Behavioral Health - Receiving Center & Recovery Outreach (ROC)

1175 E 300 N, Provo

801-852-2131

Crisis MH services, walk-in, for up to 24 hrs

Community Action

815 S Freedom Blvd, Provo

801-373-8200

Emergency housing, hotel voucher

Food and Care Coalition

299 E 900 S, Provo

801-373-1825

Transitional services

Habitat For Humanity

48 W 100 N, Provo

801-344-8527

Low income homes & loans

Housing Services of Utah County

801-523-8082

Helps families with loan-to-own programs and down-payments.

Provo Housing Authority

650 W 100 N, Provo

801-900-5676

Public housing assistance

Transient Bishop Assistance

801-373-2215

1415 N State St, Provo

Utah County Housing

240 E Center St, Provo

801-373-8333

Subsidized housing assistance.

Vantage Point Youth Services

300 N 1185 E, Provo

801-373-2215

Shelter & counsel for runaways.

Food /Clothing Services

Bishop's Storehouse (LDS)

940 W, Lindon

801 785 0998

Referral from Bishops for food.

Community Action Food Bank

815 S Freedom Blvd, Provo

801-373-8200

0830-1630 hrs

Food & Care Coalition

299 E 900 S, Provo

801-373-1825

Meals, showers, laundry, shelter, clinic, dental.

Kids Cause

801-224-2055

Clothes, glasses, dental - referral from school.

Meals On Wheels

801-229-3802

Meal delivery to seniors’ homes.

Professional Clothing Source

987 S Geneva Rd, Orem

801-836-7580

Business clothes for women.

United Way of Utah County

148 N 100 W, Provo

801-374-2588, 2-1-1

Community support services.

Women Infant & Children

801-370-4510

Breastfeeding program, food assistance.

For a comprehensive list, please view our Community Resources page here.

Community Resources

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Provo's Sustainable Efforts in Action

Provo City does not promote sustainability only to look good—we do it because it makes sense, both financially and morally. The more energy, water, and land we conserve, the more money we save our taxpayers. The more natural resources we save, the better life will be for our children. It’s our duty as public servants to do what’s right for our city and set an example. Sustainable living is a moral duty.

Check out Provo's sustainable efforts in action!

Tree Giveaway Program

NatureShade is a program provided by Provo City Power where eligible residential utility customers can apply for a free shade tree to plant on their property in Provo. When planted properly and at full growth, the trees can cast enough shade to keep energy costs down in the home.

In addition to the shade trees having potential of providing energy savings, there are long-term benefits for our community including carbon sequestration, and beautification of our homes and neighborhoods. Learn more here.

Gas Appliance Exchange and Rebate

Exchange your old gas-powered yard equipment for new electric or battery-powered equipment, and in return for your efforts to improve your community’s air quality, Provo City Power will chip in for the cost of your new equipment with a rebate, as follows:

• Lawnmower: $300

• Snow Blower: $300

• String Trimmer: $50

• Leaf Blower: $50

Visit renewchoice.com/exchange-program for all the details and application instructions.

EV Stations

Provo City has installed EVCS (electric vehicle charging stations) at many our facilities. One at Provo City Hall, Provo Recreation Center, and the Provo City Library at Academy Square.

Recycling Program

Provo has a fantastic weekly curbside recycling program for those who want to have the convenience of simply dropping recyclables into a blue can and rolling it out to the curb. What could be more simple while doing your part to make a difference in keeping a friendly environment for your families? Not to mention, it is less expensive to recycle than it is to have extra black cans. More details here.

Composting

Yard waste recycling is a great way to keep heavy grass clippings, weeds, and yard trimmings out of the landfill and saves the city from having to pay more in tipping fees at the transfer station.

Yard waste recycling only costs $6.00/month for a green can, March - November, and you don't get charged at all for the green can during the winter months of December - February, plus you get to keep the discounted price for the black cans through the winter.

Participating in yard waste recycling is just three touches away on your phone by simply dialing 311 from anywhere in Provo. If you need to call from outside of Provo, our Customer Service number is 801-852-6000.

If you need to drop off large loads of yard waste or buy compost, the compost station is located at 1625 S Industrial Pkwy, here in Provo. The compost yard is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. March - November. (Special hours offered during Spring and Fall Cleanups.) Learn more here.

Water Conservation

The Provo City Water Supply Long Term Sustainability project received the maximum funding of $50 million for an aquifer storage recharge system, a project that will help maintain an adequate level of clean drinking water for the community.

Provo City is being waterwise—in the short term, by encouraging citizen water conservation; and in the long term, by emphasizing ground water storage, recycling, re-use, and other sustainable methods that reduce demand for new water, limit evaporation loses, protect water quality, and align with natural recharge.

Provo’s forward-looking approach to water management is being noticed nationally, as evidenced by the financial support Provo has received from FEMA. We are honored to receive the maximum grant funding—and consider it to be FEMA’s confidence in our water management efforts, meeting not only our community’s future needs, but those of the surrounding region. Learn more here.

Active Transport Infrastructure

Streets move people in many ways. Provo City recognizes the necessity of developing a safe, reliable, efficient, and integrated multi-modal transportation network that provides mobility and access for walking and riding. Transportation infrastructure should accommodate all street users, reduce negative environmental impacts, promote healthy living, and advance the well-being of residents and commuters.

More broadly, the shaping of cities begins with the design of streets, as a framework for development and as a public realm. In this way, streets are also critical to enhancing the attractiveness of Provo and fostering healthy economic development. Active transportation relies on quality, human-scaled public space with elements such as vibrant ground-floor land uses, street furniture, greenery, shade, and art. Learn more here.

Trails

One of my favorite things to do is explore Provo by walking and running through the beautiful trails we have here. The landscape here is gorgeous, surrounded by the mountains that are already starting to turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red. I feel so blessed to live in a city with so many walks that are easily accessible. Check out our list of trails here.