Salt Lake City, working with Switchpoint and the State Office of Homeless Services, has finished piloting a Temporary Shelter Community (TSC) in downtown Salt Lake City. The State Office of Homeless Services has taken responsibility for moving and setting up a new location for the temporary microshelter.
The relocation process involves clients leaving the current site as of July 22, 2024. The State will begin moving units in July, with an estimated completion time of six weeks.
The new microshelter project is expected to open in early September at a Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) property located at 548 South 700 West, Salt Lake City UT 84104.
The facility will have a maximum occupancy of 50 residents. Participants are selected through emergency shelter coordination by local homeless service partners.
This project is part of broader winter bedding efforts in Salt Lake County. The temporary microshelter community adds to the 460 extra beds currently available for the winter. Additionally, at least 165 more beds are scheduled to come online in December or January at the Medically Vulnerable People facility in Sandy, bringing the total winter overflow beds to 665. Another 200 beds are made available during Code Blue Nights.
A comprehensive safety and security plan has been developed by the Salt Lake City Police Department, SLC Park Rangers, Downtown Ambassadors, public cleaning teams, and outreach providers. The plan aims to ensure the safety of both residents and the surrounding neighborhood by addressing illegal activity and camping while connecting individuals to supportive services.
The Salt Lake City Police Department noted success in reducing crime near the Gail Miller Homeless Resource Center since a dedicated squad was implemented in the summer of 2023, and increased patrols will be present in the microshelter area during the pilot.
