SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Office of Homeless Services and the Utah Homeless Services Board have come to an agreement for the state to acquire land for the development of a first-of-its-kind homeless services campus in Utah.
The land, a 15.85-acre parcel located at 2520 North 2200 West, will house the planned facility that will provide approximately 1,300 beds. Officials hope this campus will create a sustainable and transformative solution to addressing homelessness in the Beehive State.
"This is more than a campus, it's a turning point for Utah of reimagining hope," said Wayne Niederhauser, the state homeless coordinator. "It will further fulfill the identified need to provide additional beds and treatment in Utah's homeless response while providing individuals served by the campus a transformative path from crisis to stability and, ultimately, thriving."
Officials say the campus is envisioned as a comprehensive hub where those experiencing homelessness can access the support and treatment they need to move from homelessness to stable and long-term self-reliance.
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The campus will be designed to complement existing homeless resource centers, shelters, and service providers throughout the state and offer those experiencing homelessness a place to find help for recovery, employment, criminal justice assistance, and housing all in one location.
The Utah Office of Homeless Services says the campus will operate as a "hub and spoke" system. That means that individuals can come to the campus's centralized hub and, when they are ready, can be sent out across the community for specialized help. "By expanding capacity and improving the overall system's accessibility, the campus would enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of the region's homelessness response," the group wrote in a release.
A feasibility study has been completed for the project, and environmental studies are ongoing. The next steps, according to officials, are to secure funding partnerships, continue to engage with community stakeholders, service providers, and state leaders to bring the campus to actualization. It is anticipated to open for operation in 2027.
Some are concerned about the location, however. A pair of state lawmakers, Sen. Luz Escamilla and Rep. Sandra Hollins, responded to the news of the shelter being built within their jurisdictions.
"[We] are concerned that this decision was made without any significant input from the public," the statement from Escamilla and Hollins read in part. "This campus is an important step in addressing the state’s homelessness crisis, but it must move forward in partnership with the people who will live alongside it."
The state senator and representative pointed out that the west side of Salt Lake City has "carried a disproportionate share of the state’s social and environmental burdens." They pointed out the recent relocation of the Utah State Prison as one example.
"We urge the Office of Homeless Services, the Board, and Salt Lake City to move forward with care and foresight," their statement continued, "guided by a clear and comprehensive plan that addresses transportation, public safety, and the well-being of both campus residents and the surrounding neighborhood. If done thoughtfully, this project can meet urgent needs while respecting and strengthening the community that hosts it.”
