As Davis County residents, we are deeply concerned about the decision made by our state representatives, decision-makers, and Davis County Commissioners (Bob Stevenson and Lorene Kamalu) to locate a low-barrier homeless shelter at the Kaysville emissions center. This is a residential area, with homes across the street. This location provides no services for the homeless. 

We acknowledge the importance of compassionate, effective support for the homeless population in Davis County and understand that the proposed Code Blue shelter aims to address immediate needs during extreme cold. However, we believe that the location at the emissions center is neither ideal for achieving these goals nor suited to the specific circumstances of our neighborhood.

We are by nature a very giving community and always are looking for ways to help those in our community. However, we are not set up with the resources to help the category of homeless people who would use this shelter. It doesn’t address the specific needs of the homeless demographic in our area. We urge the commissioners to be transparent with their plans and to strongly consider our feedback in the decision-making process. We oppose the location for the following reasons:

• This location is not well prepared to meet the needs of the homeless. It’s also not a long-term solution. This location provides no access to critical services. The homeless often need medical attention, mental health treatment, addiction recovery resources, and life-skills training. This location doesn’t address any of that.
• There are better locations within Davis County that have access to resources, such as the Clearfield Senior Center, that better align with the comprehensive support these individuals need. The Clearfield Center is close to the Davis County Health Department, Davis County Behavioral Health, the Clearfield Police Department, and a short walk to the Clearfield frontrunner station.
• This temporary Code Blue shelter also doesn’t address the root causes of homelessness in the county. Most of the homeless in the county are women fleeing abusive situations, people with addictions, or teens. We need to focus on continuing to bolster current organizations that are doing significant work to help the most vulnerable in our area, such as SafeHarbor, Red Barn, and teen centers, instead of temporary solutions.
• This proposed location raises concerns regarding safety and accessibility. The emissions center is adjacent to a busy intersection without pedestrian infrastructure. Our neighborhood also lacks public gathering spaces, leaving few places for shelter residents to go during the day other than private properties. This raises legitimate concerns among residents for the safety and security of local children and families.
• There is no access to public transportation and there is no pedestrian access to any services except through neighborhoods. The 200 North interchange is extremely busy and difficult for pedestrians to get around.
• It’s right next to the railroad with no barrier. A lot of homeless are suffering from mental health could wander inadvertently onto the tracks. The aluminum building also wouldn’t provide much insulation from loud train noise. 
• There are significant logistical and financial challenges associated with retrofitting this site to make it habitable.  
• Many children walk to the nearby schools and cross the rail trail. The trail would easily become a place for the homeless to camp out during the day. This is already the case in Layton/Clearfield.
• The Davis County Homeless Council did a study and found no known populations of homeless individuals in Kaysville. This shelter does not meet them in the areas they’re located. All the homeless would be bussed in from other locations. We as Kaysville citizens are concerned that this will create a homeless problem that doesn’t currently exist in the area.
• A shelter near where the homeless are will cut down on the need for transportation. Finding volunteers to transport the homeless and manage the site can prove difficult with the short notice this shelter requires. A shelter within walkable distance of where the homeless are in the day mitigates a need for transportation. 
• We do want to help, but we are concerned that a temporary, Code Blue shelter could turn into a larger, more permanent shelter. State representatives have stated they are looking for permanent shelters. 
• We are deeply concerned about the exponential rise of drug use and crime in the area and want to know how law enforcement will mitigate that risk for the community. We want assurances that the county will provide a stronger law enforcement presence in the area to protect the citizens without placing an extra burden on local police.
• The county or state isn't funding this, other than providing a building. All transportation costs and extra financial and logistical burdens would be placed upon the city. We ask that the County provide clear assurances regarding funding and support for these additional needs. 
• There are two rehab/detox centers less than a half-mile away. Having a homeless shelter environment so close could potentially disrupt people who are seeking help for their addictions or mental health.

The decision was, disappointingly, made without community consultation or input. The lack of transparency demonstrates a disregard for the needs of residents. Not only does this decision place potential distress on the residents, but it also does not serve the best interests of the homeless people intended to be helped. We believe that public input is essential in making informed decisions that balance community interests with compassionate support for the homeless. Transparency regarding site selection criteria and plans for the shelter’s operation and funding would be invaluable in fostering community trust and cooperation. We demand answers. 

The nearby Kaysville senior center was also considered, but it doesn't provide necessary resources to help the homeless.