May 7, 2025

SPARK, a $99 million, affordable housing development on North Temple, has opened its doors. Spark features 48 deeply affordable units for households earning 20-30% Area Median Income (AMI), along with 152 affordable units and an on-site, high-quality childcare center.  

“SPARK brings to life what we’ve long envisioned for housing development in Salt Lake City—a community where a parent can put their child in trusted care, easily use public transit for their daily commute, and return home to a space they can afford and be proud of,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who also serves as Executive Director of the Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA). “This project is a milestone, yes, but it’s also a model for the kind of thoughtful, inclusive development that can truly change lives.” 

Project Highlights: 

• A full-service, affordable childcare center operated by Neighborhood House, a local nonprofit, that will provide high-quality, early education 
• Ground-floor commercial space to support local businesses and neighborhood vitality 
• A public courtyard and mid-block pedestrian/bike walkway for enhanced connectivity  

To ensure completion of this project, the CRA provided $14.5 million in financing, with an additional $1 million from the City’s Housing Stability Division. Key project partners include Utah Housing Corporation, state and federal tax credits, the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, the Scott W. and Betsy D. Thornton Family Foundation in partnership with Neighborhood House, Salt Lake County, Goldman Sachs, and Citi Community Capital. 

Behind SPARK’s success is Brinshore Development, a national leader in sustainable, community-focused affordable housing. Known in Salt Lake City for The Aster, Brinshore brings a proven approach rooted in public-private partnerships, local hiring, and community-driven design. 

“SPARK represents the gold-standard for what mixed-income, mixed-use developments can bring to a community. Amongst all of our 15,000 residents across the nation, affordable quality childcare is the number one amenity requested,” said David Brint, CEO of Brinshore Development. 

Neighborhood House has been a key partner in making the vision for SPARK a reality, combining essential childcare services with affordable housing. 

“We are thrilled to see this innovative model come to life,” said Jennifer Nuttall, Executive Director of Neighborhood House. “The ability to combine affordable housing and affordable childcare in such a meaningful way creates lasting benefits for families and the broader community.” 

“Salt Lake City is at its best when we come together to build a future that lifts everyone up,” said Salt Lake City Council Member and CRA Board Chair Darin Mano. “I’m proud of the City’s role in making this project a reality.” 

SPARK’s opening marks a major milestone not just for North Temple, but for Salt Lake City’s ongoing efforts to remain an affordable, opportunity-rich place for families to live, grow, and thrive. 

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About the CRA 

The Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) exists to strengthen neighborhoods and business districts by fostering vibrant, livable, and equitable communities. The CRA champions efforts that expand affordable housing, support local businesses, activate public spaces, and drive sustainable, community-centered growth. To learn more about the CRA’s work, visit www.cra.slc.gov.

About Neighborhood House 

Neighborhood House, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving the Salt Lake City community since 1894, is proud to introduce a groundbreaking model for early childhood education by integrating a high-quality daycare and preschool within an affordable housing community in Utah. To learn more about Neighborhood House’s work, visit www.nhutah.org.