On May 2, 2023, the Council voted to approve a new process for placing Homeless Resource Centers (HRCs) and homeless shelters within the City.
The new process comes after the Council approved a temporary hold on allowing new homeless shelters in the City in 2022. At that time, the Council asked the City’s Planning Division to create a guiding process to approve future HRCs with the following goals in mind:
- Safety and welfare of those experiencing homelessness in the City.
- Community impact when locating HRCs and related services in the same area.
- Avoiding inequities in the locations of HRCs and homeless shelters.
- Impact future HRCs have on City services.
- Service provider’s financial ability to follow regulations and provide necessary shelter and assistance.
- Identifying impacts that are the HRC operator’s responsibility and those that should be the responsibility of others.
The Planning Division developed the Homeless Resource Center Overlay Zoning District proposal in response to these goals.
On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Council unanimously voted to approve the Homeless Resource Center Text Amendment.
How will this process be different?
Any future HRC construction will require a zoning map amendment. This means anyone who wants to create an HRC or shelter must apply for a zoning map amendment and get approval from the Council.
Read more about the Zoning Amendment Process
Learn more about the Homeless Resource Amendments
What happens to existing HRCs or shelters in Salt Lake City?
The recently-approved Homeless Resource Center Text Amendment will not alter the existing locations or how they operate.
Council meeting recaps:
May 2, 2023 Council Vote
The Council unanimously voted to adopt the Homeless Resource Center Text Amendment with a requirement that HRCs prohibit firearms, provide signage, and secure firearm storage for individuals in the HRC.
The Council also adopted legislative intents to:
- develop metrics to measure the success of HRCs and related homeless services, and
- support the development of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) standards at HRCs and related homeless services.
April 18 Council Meeting
The Council voted to defer voting on the proposed Homeless Resource Center Text Amendment to its May 2 meeting.
April 4 Public Hearing
Held and and closed a public hearing about the proposed Homeless Resource Center ordinance.
March 21 Council Briefing
The Council received a briefing about the proposal to establish a new process for locating Homeless Resource Centers (HRCs) and shelters within the city. During the briefing, Council Members raised questions about state law, clarified requirements and standards for temporary versus permanent homeless resource centers, design standards, and potential timeline requirements for Council action. Planning staff also clarified recommendations from the Planning Commission that were added to the proposal that the Council may or may not choose to proceed with.
March 7 Formal Meeting
The Council scheduled a public hearing for this proposal to take place on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
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