- North Salt Lake residents criticized a proposed homeless facility near the city at a public meeting.
- They chiefly worry about the potential public safety dangers posed by the presence of homeless people.
- Wayne Niederhauser, the state homeless coordinator, defended the proposal, emphasizing the planned security and the need for a facility to keep those experiencing homelessness off the streets.
NORTH SALT LAKE — A proposal for a homeless facility near North Salt Lake drew pointed questions, criticism and calls for officials spearheading the plans to find another site at an informational meeting on the issue Tuesday.
Concerns about safety stemming from the presence of homeless people at the proposed 1,300-bed facility on an undeveloped 15.9-acre parcel south of the city seemed to predominate at the meeting, held at North Salt Lake City Hall. Utah Homeless Coordinator Wayne Niederhauser, head of the entity pursuing the plans, addressed the crowd of about 100 and then fielded questions and comments.
"What specific security measures will prevent dangerous individuals from wandering into our neighborhoods and schools? How will addiction and drug use be managed on site so it doesn't spill over into Foxboro?" said Brittney Souther, who lives near the proposed site, referencing an adjacent North Salt Lake neighborhood.
"And what independent oversight will guarantee accountability to families like mine? We cannot gamble with our children's safety until these questions are answered with clear, enforceable plans. This campus should not move forward here," she said.
The tone of the speakers grew heated and angry at times. State leaders announced plans to build the Utah Office of Homeless Services homeless campus at the site near North Salt Lake, actually on an undeveloped piece of land in northern Salt Lake City, in early September. The aim is to have a facility with a comprehensive range of services for the growing homeless population that complements other shelters around the state.
"Why are you going to punish the hard-working Americans that are trying to make a good life for their families and feel safe?" asked another speaker, who identified herself as Amy. "And why are you going to punish the police department as well? They're going to have to work double-time."
Niederhauser, the lead official tasked with fighting homelessness for Gov. Spencer Cox, defended the proposal, noting the security measures that would be implemented at the facility, among other things. Officials, he said, investigated numerous sites in and around Salt Lake City, including locations in western Salt Lake County and the Utah Inland Port site in northwestern Salt Lake City.
"It's just been our experience that leaving them on the street is the worst situation. ... It hurts the public more to have them on the street," Niederhauser said.
The site would be fenced with controlled ingress and egress, and heavy security inside. The planned services at the facility, moreover, would keep residents there while a shuttle service on a fixed route would give them a means of travel, preventing random incursions into neighborhoods.
Whatever the case, Niederhauser's comments didn't seem to resonate with those present. One speaker said officials should consider a site near the Utah State Correctional Facility west of Salt Lake City. Niederhauser, for his part, said no site would be "perfect" for a homeless facility, but touted the location near North Salt Lake due to its relatively large size and proximity to the Salt Lake area, where the homeless population is concentrated.
Another point of ire for some at Tuesday's meeting was the selection of the site near North Salt Lake without consultation with the public ahead of time. The plans were unveiled in a Sept. 3 press release.
"Why did you keep it a secret from everyone? Why did you go get the land under contract and not tell anyone?" Amy asked
Niederhauser, meeting at a public gathering on the plans for the second time since their unveiling, said plans involving land transactions typically aren't made public until a preliminary deal is reached.
"You don't even start a process until you have the property tied up. That was the same thing here. We needed to tie up a piece of property first and then you go through the process," he said.
The debate isn't over, though the state has contracted with Salt Lake City to buy the site near North Salt Lake. State funds will likely be needed to help cover the cost of the plans, requiring Utah lawmakers to weigh in.
"As this unfolds, this will be a big issue at the Legislature this year. Funding will be an essential item before we get started, and that's going to need to be addressed by the Legislature, by the governor," Niederhauser said.
Proponents hope the new facility will be operable by 2027.
