Camping on City streets is dangerous for people living unhoused, due to crime, weather, and lack of access to services. It also creates a difficult environment for surrounding communities, including housed residents, businesses, and visitors.

There is currently not enough space in the Homeless Resource Centers (HRCs) or other emergency shelters for everyone who needs it. Congregate shelter models, like the HRCs and winter overflow beds, are also not conducive to every person in need of shelter.

Salt Lake City and the State Office of Homeless Services are piloting a new approach to shelter. This pilot aims to prove that adding options for shelter type to the existing HRCs and temporary winter overflow will increase the acceptance rate with shelter-resistant individuals and couples, and be an operational model that does not detrimentally impact a neighborhood.

Non-congregate shelters are private spaces that provide temporary shelter with private, individual spaces and do not require occupants to sign a lease. Homeless Resource Centers (HRCs) provide dorm-style shelter, as well as restrooms and hygiene, case management, meals, clothing, medical care, laundry, job training, and employment services.

Any land the City or Redevelopment Agency (RDA) owns was evaluated for a variety of needs, including size, availability, proximity to services, and utilities. Ultimately this is the site that works in the timeframe needed and also has the criteria to be successful.

The microshelter began operations on December 15, 2023. Switchpoint, the nonprofit service provider selected by the State Office of Homeless Services, will operate the temporary microshelter through April 30, 2024.

We reviewed evidence-based practices and similar models across the country and determined that a capacity of 50 people can be best supported at this site.

This temporary microshelter community is in addition to 600+ beds that will open for the winter at other locations across Salt Lake County, including the medically vulnerable populations (MVP) facility and other resource centers and overflow locations.

A lot of things had to come together for this project to work. The City has long taken on a great deal of funding and support for the homeless services system, well outside of the City’s role or what our taxpayers should have to bear. That has been a primary reason the City has not explored this concept in the past.

Now that the State has $1 million to pilot this type of shelter community and is securing state-owned land, the City determined that we could play a role in helping get this up and running as a pilot. This critical funding, along with the State’s plan to host a permanent non-congregate shelter, are key components that not only make it possible but also the right time for the City to pilot a project like this.

Three years ago, Sugar House hosted a dorm-style shelter and only overnight sleeping. Millcreek City offered the same shelter option last year. However, for two years during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, operators were able to offer individual hotel rooms 24/7 and we found a large number of people preferred this option. This non-congregate model with continuity day-to-day is the focus of this pilot program.

This location won’t be permanent because plans for development are proceeding. But this location is an opportunity to test this concept and take what we learn to make the State’s permanent version at a different location the most successful it can be. The plan is to move tenants from the Phase 1 location to Phase 2’s State-owned site.

For this type of non-congregate shelter, we have seen the best programs across the nation generally do not exceed 50 people per site. This is to ensure adequate attention is given to each resident to assist them in the overall goal of everyone moving into permanent housing. This initial pilot project is meant to be the first phase, with the State OHS opening a more robust and permanent non-congregate shelter option by Spring 2024 at another location. This model of small, person-centered shelter could be used to assist other cities across the state in delivering more local services so people can stay where they live instead of needing to relocate to Salt Lake City for assistance.

The City is entering into a funding agreement with the State Office of Homeless Services to manage the $500,000 the City Council approved in June 2023. Those funds will be used for the operations of this pilot. The State’s $1,000,000 was set aside to study and create a more permanent option that they are working on currently. That will open after this first phase.

We anticipate there may be additional costs related to site preparation and staffing through the winter. It is a pilot program to see how this model could permanently work in the State, and there are shared costs with our partners at the State. This investment means 50 additional people will have a safe place to sleep at night and live during the day throughout the winter.

We’re working with the State Office of Homeless Services to develop the next phase, which will be a more permanent non-congregate shelter site in 2024.

The State Office of Homeless Services, working with mayors across Salt Lake County and providers, has a plan to provide over 600 beds of winter shelter and services. Almost all of those are 24-hour facilities so people will not need to leave each morning to seek services elsewhere. The City is working with the State on longer-term, year-round shelter options as well. More than 700 permanent supportive housing units have already been funded by the State, County and City partnership and are already open or in the pipeline, with more to come.

Homelessness solutions need to be built around housing and services. The City continues to fund affordable, deeply affordable, and permanent supportive housing at record rates and advocates for more robust state-wide housing solutions.

Salt Lake City will continue to enforce the no-camping ordinance wherever necessary. We’re optimistic that with more than 600 beds coming online as part of the Winter Response Plan, camps won’t reach the size to warrant an abatement. The Salt Lake County Health Department still makes those determinations based on public health needs. This winter when the State issues a “Code Blue” order, which is when temperatures are colder than 15 degrees or there’s a weather event, no abatements will occur. The City’s Rapid Intervention Team will continue responding as quickly as possible to help maintain clean, safe public spaces. Camps can be reported through the City’s app, SLC Mobile.

The Other Side Village just completed the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) process and is moving full steam ahead on the land lease and development agreement, which are the final two steps needed before a permit can be granted.

Our City team continues to work with residents and businesses near the microshelter to field questions or concerns and will throughout the microshelter’s operation. Residents and businesses can direct additional questions and concerns here.

Work to prepare the site was done by professional crews, and the operation of the site is being carried out by Switchpoint. To be notified of future volunteer opportunities, sign up for SLC Corps updates.

Salt Lake City constituent liaisons are available to take questions and address any concerns. A website has been set up with details at www.slc.gov/temporaryshelter/.

This is a SLC RDA-owned property.

Individuals will sleep in secure, hard-sided shelter units that are fully equipped with heating, lighting, air conditioning, electrical outlets, and beds.

This property is part of the Station Center Development Area (DD). The SLC RDA has existing contracts and redevelopment visions to support the long-term development goals of the community.

Fifty residents are selected through emergency shelter coordination by local homeless service partners.

Switchpoint is the nonprofit service provider that was selected by the State Office of Homeless Services. Switchpoint will operate the temporary microshelter through April 30, 2024.

There will be 24-hour support staff on-site, and we will work with the contracted provider to provide access to showers, food, case management and housing support, and other basic needs.

One of the goals of this temporary microshelter will be to assist residents in finding and securing permanent housing as soon as possible.

Every person will be assigned their own space. While we will likely have couples on-site, they will not share personal space permanently.

Pets will be allowed at the temporary microshelter community.

Safety is an important part of this pilot. The Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD), outreach providers, public cleaning teams, Downtown Ambassadors, and the SLC Park Rangers developed a comprehensive safety and security plan that will ensure public safety and the safety of residents of the shelter both in and around this immediate neighborhood.
The plan was developed before the temporary microshelter’s opening. The plan will focus on addressing camping and other illegal activity in the area, as well as connecting individuals to supportive services. Salt Lake City is improving the current issues already identified by the neighbors in the area.
SLCPD has seen great success in reducing crime around the Gail Miller Homeless Resource Center since a dedicated squad was put in place in the Summer of 2023. There will be increased patrols in the area surrounding the microshelter during the pilot. We will be diligent in keeping the area, residents, and visitors safe.

Switchpoint, the nonprofit service provider, has staff on-site 24/7. Switchpoint is responsible for maintaining a safe environment within the microshelter.
In the vicinity of the microshelter, SLCPD is deploying a neighborhood safety and security plan. Switchpoint will work with the City to address issues that are close to the microshelter perimeter.

Open use of substances, or dealing them, in or around the microshelter will not be allowed. Those who are in need of substance abuse treatment and support will be helped to access those services in a manner that best addresses their needs.

Salt Lake City does not permit camping on public property and enforces this statute, but as many are aware, there have not been enough beds in shelters or housing for everyone. However, this year, with 600 winter shelter and transitional housing options available in addition to this pilot project, we believe most will find a placement where they feel comfortable.

While there are some who may not accept indoor placements, the vast majority choose indoor options when they are accessible and available.

The Outreach Team and Rapid Intervention Team, along with police support as needed, will continue to work with anyone who remains outside throughout the winter.