St. Vincent de Paul Center has been providing overflow space for the homeless at 437 W. 200 South since 1998, when then-Mayor Deedee Corradini issued an emergency declaration to allow the action. As it turns out, the declaration only applies to catastrophic events, such as earthquakes.

"Up until this point, no one ever challenged that," said Frank Gray, Salt Lake City's director of community and economic development.

Matt Minkevitch, executive director of The Road Home, said shelter officials have utilized St. Vincent de Paul as a staging area to check people into its Midvale overflow shelter.

St. Vincent de Paul also is used to provide overnight space, with mats and blankets, to those who shelter staff determine are not able to take the bus to Midvale for reasons such as inebriation, Minkevitch said. About 75 to 90 people use the shelter each night, he said.

"I know the services we are providing will undoubtably save lives this winter," Minkevitch said.

The temporary land-use regulations will expire in six months.

"This in no way intends to be a permanent solution to this problem," Gray said.

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