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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (AP) -- The Salt Lake City Housing Authority has opened a new $8 million apartment complex for homeless seniors that when initially proposed had received complaints for its location.
The housing authority built the 59-unit Kelly Benson Apartments complex in West Valley City with the help of community partners. The complex officially opened Wednesday and residents have already started moving into it.
Rent is paid on a sliding scale of 30 percent of a resident's income. Residents must be 55 or older and have experienced chronic homelessness, with income 80 percent or less of the federal poverty guideline.
We need to build about 2,000 more units to end chronic homelessness in Utah forever.
–Michael Gallivan
The complex is "permanent supported housing" designed to get people back on their feet, said Pamela Atkinson, an advocate for the homeless.
Atkinson said similar housing projects and personal stories she's heard show the concept is working to address and help alleviate chronic homelessness.
At the ribbon-cutting for the complex, Michael Gallivan, who has helped raise funds for the homeless, announced a new campaign asking Salt Lake County residents and businesses to donate 1 percent of their annual income one time to help build more housing for the homeless.
"We need to build about 2,000 more units to end chronic homelessness in Utah forever," he said.
But the complex isn't without a controversial background.
About 1,100 residents in the area had signed a petition more than two years ago to try to get the complex relocated. Residents had said city officials approved a zoning change without their input and complained the complex was planned for a major pathway for children walking to three area schools.
Scott Warr's home was near the property but he has since moved.
"I was concerned enough about it. I now live in Springville," Warr said. "It's not the only reason I moved, but it's one of them. I still own the home there and I do still have family up and down that street."
Noting possible problems with drugs, alcohol and mental illness, Warr said he views the complex as a "train wreck just waiting to happen with all the kids going through there."
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Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
