SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 13, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday announced former Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser as his selection to serve as the new state Homeless Services coordinator.
As outlined in HB 347, this position serves as the chief administrative officer of the Office of Homeless Services.
“During his legislative career, Wayne did not shy away from helping to solve some of the most complex and difficult issues facing the state, and he’s proving that resolve again in accepting this key public service assignment,” Cox said in a prepared statement.
“His leadership and ability to bring parties together will be crucial as we develop a coordinated approach to improving life for some of the most vulnerable among us.”
Cox also has assembled a sub-cabinet group on homeless issues. This cabinet support team will advise the coordinator, organize the state’s response between various agencies and advance the governor’s goals around supporting the implementation of directives set by the Utah Homeless Council, the statement says.
Members of the cabinet support team include senior advisor Pamela Atkinson, Department of Workforce Services executive director Casey Cameron, Department of Human Services executive director Tracy Gruber, Department of Health executive director Rich Saunders, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity executive director Dan Hemmert, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget executive director Sophia DiCaro, Department of Public Services commissioner Jess Anderson and senior advisor of communications Jennifer Napier-Pearce.
Niederhauser served in the Utah Senate for 12 and a half years, with six of those as Senate President.
