Salt Lake City plans more public meetings to discuss new homeless resource centers

SALT LAKE CITY — A series of public workshops are scheduled to gather feedback on the design and community impact of four new Homeless Resource Centers that are slated to be built in Salt Lake City in the next two years.

Last week Salt Lake City officials sent out a pamphlet by mail announcing the meetings, and listing key concerns from the community with answers.

One of the main concerns listed on the mailer was dropping property values. The pamphlet's response: "That's not necessarily the case."

The mailer goes on to state that properties near a YWCA shelter have increased by an average of more than 31 percent over the past six years.

David Litvack, Deputy Chief of Staff for Salt Lake City, said the YWCA represents a goal that the city is striving for, but admits the future price tags for homes near the four shelters is unclear.

"No one has that crystal ball," Litvack said.

Another concern was that the new centers will become crime-ridden. The mailer's response stated: "Much of the criminal activity near the current shelter is not directly related to individuals experiencing homelessness, but can be linked to the large number of people in the area."

"The majority of individuals who are experiencing homelessness, and I believe that data shows this, are not criminal by nature," Litvack said.

City officials have planned more public meetings to discuss the new homeless shelters.

Public meeting schedule:

• January 11 1-3 p.m. Salt Lake Community College South Campus, 1575 South State Street Multipurpose room (use East parking lot)
• January 11 6-9 p.m. Salt Lake Community College South Campus, 1575 South State Street Multipurpose room (use East parking lot)
• January 18 7-9 Nibley Park Elementary Auditorium 2785 South 800 East

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