Extreme Heat Exacerbates Homelessness Crisis in Salt Lake City

New research highlights the health impacts and need for housing-first solutions to address unsheltered homelessness

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:17pm

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A study led by University of Utah professor Jeff Rose examines how people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Salt Lake City employ adaptive strategies to navigate the harsh urban landscape during extreme heat. The research found that unsheltered individuals face severe physiological stress from lack of access to cooling resources, with temperatures reaching over 130°F in some areas. The study highlights the need for short-term solutions like more public cooling spaces as well as long-term, housing-first approaches to address the root causes of homelessness in the region.

Why it matters

As climate change and urban development contribute to hotter conditions in Salt Lake City, the health impacts on the unsheltered population are becoming increasingly severe. Unsheltered individuals have limited options to escape extreme heat, leading to medical emergencies and exacerbating chronic illnesses. This puts a significant strain on the healthcare system. Addressing homelessness through a housing-first model has been shown to be the most effective and cost-efficient approach, but progress has been hindered by the perception of providing 'handouts'.

The details

The study by Professor Jeff Rose tracked the temperatures experienced by 10 unsheltered individuals in Salt Lake City over a 6-day period in the summer of 2024. The data revealed shocking temperature extremes, with one logger recording 134°F in a paved parking lot. Participants employed resourceful coping strategies, like using public transit solely to access air-conditioned spaces and making arrangements with fast food managers to purchase a discounted 'Frosty' and cool off for an hour. However, these makeshift solutions highlight the inequity of cooling resources in the urban landscape for those without reliable shelter.

  • In the summer of 2024, Rose's research team collected temperature data over a 6-day period.
  • In recent years, the median cost of housing in Salt Lake City has seen a significant increase, excluding more people from stable housing.

The players

Jeff Rose

An associate professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah and the lead researcher on the study examining the impact of extreme heat on the unsheltered population in Salt Lake City.

Gregg Colburn and Clayton Aldern

Authors of the book "Homelessness is a Housing Problem", which examines the underlying causes of homelessness across different cities in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Housing is health care, and we need to view it as a necessity. When we help people move toward housing, we improve the efficiency of our emergency departments, our dispatchers, and first responders. We improve overall, as a health system. But most importantly, we improve the health of our population.”

— Jeff Rose, Associate Professor, University of Utah

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This research highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive, housing-first approach to addressing homelessness in Salt Lake City. Short-term solutions like improving access to public cooling spaces can provide immediate relief, but lasting change requires tackling the root causes of housing inaccessibility. By viewing housing as a fundamental healthcare need, the city can improve outcomes for the unsheltered population and reduce the strain on emergency services.