SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 30, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah’s Office of Homeless Services officially opened the Microshelter Community this weekend with the support of the selected site operator, Switchpoint.
Located at 548 S. 700 West, near Interstate 15 in Salt Lake City, this community is designed to house as many as 50 people experiencing homelessness, providing crucial support as winter approaches. The microshelters offer a non-congregate living arrangement, which ensures a comfortable and dignified environment for residents.
Following a successful pilot project with Salt Lake City and Switchpoint, the microshelters were moved to the new location in September. The legislature allocated the funding for low-barrier shelter in the 2024 General Session.
Wayne Niederhauser is Utah’s Homeless Coordinator.
“We are deeply thankful for the Utah Legislature’s support, which has made this project possible,” Niederhauser said in a released statement.
“The successful microshelter pilot, with its notable exits to housing and low calls for enforcement, demonstrates that this model works. This second phase represents a crucial step toward greater stabilization and long-term solutions for those in need.”
The opening of the microshelter program, along with the planned expansion for Salt Lake County’s winter response in 2024, represents significant efforts to prepare for winter weather earlier than ever before.
Residents began moving into the microshelters Saturday. The site is fully enclosed with fencing. It is well-lit, and staffed with full-time personnel to prioritize safety and support, the statement says. Restrooms and washing stations are available, ensuring that essential hygiene needs are met and maintaining the dignity of those seeking shelter.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall shared comments.
“The reopening of a more permanent Microshelter Community is a landmark moment for Salt Lake City and Utah,” she said. “The pilot program demonstrated that this is a shelter model that serves a hard-to-reach segment of the unsheltered population and brings them much-needed stability. It’s a testament to our commitment to exploring and deploying compassionate and effective solutions for those in need.”
The statement says the Office of Homeless Services is grateful for the support of Utah-based construction firm Landmark Companies, as well as RPM Team, Rocky Mountain Power, Foldum, Sunrise Engineering, and the Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management.
