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SALT LAKE CITY — The Housing Authority of Salt Lake City is one of nine housing authorities nationwide to receive special congressional funding to expand and fully launch its Human Rights Housing initiative to house survivors of human trafficking amid the state's continuing housing crisis.
With roughly 3,400 housing authorities nationwide, congressional funds from the new federal budget were highly sought after. With the help of Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City received an earmark of $328,886 for its Human Rights Housing initiative.
Housing authorities across the nation have had rising concerns as the housing bubble continues to grow. The housing crisis has been especially present in the West as its housing market continues to rage.
Skyrocketing prices, limited housing and growing populations have caused many to scramble to find housing — and caught up in the scramble are organizations desperate to house a vulnerable population with varied needs.
The Asian Association of Utah's Refugee and Immigrant Center and the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City began the Human Rights Housing project in 2020. The project is meant to "house and support survivors of human trafficking instead of utilizing incarceration and deportation."
The initiative drew the attention of Owens when he visited the program in 2021. It was then that he pledged to expand the project's efforts to try and solve human trafficking permanently and make Utah a model for other states, said Britnee Dabb, deputy director of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City.
Now with over $330,000 additional funds, Salt Lake's housing authority is pushing the state forward in its services. The funds will go directly toward obtaining or maintaining housing for survivors of human trafficking. The housing is confidential and is meant to help keep survivors safe and separate from their captors.
"Had some of these individuals that we're trying to help, if we didn't provide a home, how could we find them? Their captors would probably know where to look before we would," said Dabb. "Having that first step of having a safe place to call home just helps alleviate those basic needs that we're so accustomed to — it's huge — so that we can focus on getting them healed and housed."
A new report by the Utah Women & Leadership Project at Utah State University revealed that human trafficking is prevalent not only across the United States but in the rural and urban areas of Utah. The report noted that there is no "prototypical" victims of human trafficking — with the issue ranging across age, gender, ethnicity and race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
"It's a common misconception that it's not happening. People don't notice it and they're not aware of the signs. It could be individuals who were working in someone's house — whether it's cleaning or cooking or nannying — that aren't being paid a fair wage or is here against their will. It could be individuals that are involved in some kind of illegal activity, unwilling or unknowing," said Dabb.
Misconceptions of what forms human trafficking can take are also common, she added. Human trafficking can take a variety of forms including forced labor, debt bondage, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation.
"It is happening in our state with individuals that live here and were raised here, and also not. It could be happening to anyone you know, and everyone does deserve that safe outlet to get away," said Dabb. "So it, unfortunately, is a priority. All different ages and family sizes can be affected as well. We have helped individuals that have children and we've helped individuals that are alone."
The Asian Association of Utah saw a 39% increase in human trafficking clients served between 2018 and 2020, according to the report. Of those served in 2020, the report indicated 68% were female, 81% adults, 51% were foreign nationals, and 49% were U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Additionally, the Refugee and Immigrant Center has helped 194 survivors, including secondary survivors.
The most requested services by Utah victims include housing, case management, legal services, medical assistance, substance abuse and mental health treatment — services the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City can now better provide through the congressional and other outside funds.
"Human trafficking is a heinous crime that impacts people of all ages in communities worldwide. Our collaborative approach to breaking the chain begins with providing support for survivors, including housing, medical care, employment, and education opportunities," said Owens in a statement to KSL.com. "Utah has a one-of-a-kind spirit of service, and I'm grateful to see the Utah Housing Authority filling unmet needs by providing stable housing for victims of human trafficking. Together, we can end this form of modern-day slavery and rebuild the livelihoods of those impacted."
The Housing Authority of Salt Lake City is working on purchasing additional units to continue to grow the program, according to Dabb.
"We wouldn't be able to continue it without these earmarks to be able to grow it and help our community," she said. "It came at the right time. These units aren't going to go unfilled. We have enough people waiting to be helped and rescued that we can keep it filled again and still have some waiting."
