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SANDY — Sandy City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve an ordinance change clearing the final hurdle for a transitional housing facility for medically vulnerable people.
The code change alters the definition of "transitional housing" and makes it possible for the facility to provide housing for up to two years for those meeting the criteria. All residents will be selected by Shelter the Homeless, including people age 62 or older or individuals who have significant underlying health conditions or are in need of recuperative care.
The Medically Vulnerable Program will be located at the former Econolodge at 8955 S. 255 West and can serve up to 165 people. The 98 available beds will provide a new option for at-risk homeless seniors and those needing ongoing medical care beyond the dorm-style shelters.
"It's just such a dignified and different model of service," said Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski on Wednesday. There's nothing like it in the state right now, and we need it desperately. And so what we'll do is free up to 165 beds in the downtown shelters ... but the people that need that more supportive case management can be well-served here in a safe, dignified, secure location where they can stabilize on their way to permanent housing."
The model was introduced amid the COVID-19 pandemic as an option for those unsheltered who were medically vulnerable. The previous program, known as Stay Home Stay Safe, operated out of the old Ramada Inn in Salt Lake City. While the pandemic subsided, Shelter the Homeless felt that the need for a similar facility remained and began looking for a permanent location.
The program was identified by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and state homeless coordinator Wayne Niederhauser late last year, but officials did not then disclose the location. The units were included in a grant process by Salt Lake City and the Utah Office of Homeless Services to bring several affordable units online by the time winter overflow shelters closed in April.
Shelter the Homeless purchased the building the Econolodge building. in July, beginning the process for approval. Several public hearings were held regarding the potential code change and the item appeared consistently on the Sandy City Council meeting agendas throughout September.
"The process is really important. I mean, it has to be a public transparent process," Zoltanski said. "For this to work in our community, it cannot be something that is sprung on the community or people are informed after the fact once the deal has been made."
Sandy residents gave mixed reactions in the public comment portion of meetings, with some expressing concerns about safety while others welcomed the facility with proper security measures. The process also drew comments from other elected officials, homeless advocates and support from the Office of Homeless Services.
"We have seen a huge difference in our city and how impactful (these facilities) are, and non-congregate facilities are far less impactful for things like public safety and nuisance concerns. So this is going to be probably the least impactful piece of the system that Sandy City could host," said Salt Lake City Councilman Darin Mano during a public comment period.
The Salt Lake City Council penned a letter of support for the facility, which Mano and other members delivered to the Sandy City Council. The Office of Homeless Services wrote the council pledging up to $300,000, operating on a reimbursement basis. This funding may be used for expenses related to mitigating the impacts of the location of the program. Eligible expenses may include:
Some residents expressed outrage at the state's involvement, calling the vote "a done deal" before it had occurred and council members still seemed undecided. Amendments were discussed and made between Shelter the Homeless counsel and city attorney Tracy Cowdell ahead of Tuesday's vote. Amendments included increasing security measures and adjusting terms such as "medically vulnerable" to be more clear.
Ultimately, the vote was unanimous. The decision reflected the mayor and city council's desire to "control our own destiny" as cities across the state have begun to be called upon to collaborate further on the homelessness issue.
"I think the other thing that underscores the other cities' involvement is just how much this is part of the bigger picture," said Councilman Ryan Mecham. "Other cities, I think really found it not only in their interest, but the interest of their residents to alleviate some of that pressure that's in Salt Lake City, to spread it around, but to do so in a way that's successful for the residents because they can get the services they need coming to them."
The council's decision to allow the Medically Vulnerable Program to operate in Sandy will likely eliminate the mandatory contribution to Utah's homeless mitigation fund. Presently, Sandy contributes $275,000 per year.
"But thinking long-term, rather than setting up as if Sandy were tasked with hosting a winter overflow shelter compared to setting up a long-term facility where people can come stabilize, move to permanent housing — that is much more meaningful way for me as mayor, for city leadership to participate in solving and ending homelessness in Utah than just reacting in crisis mode every winter," added Zoltanski.
Shelter the Homeless hopes to have the program open by Dec. 1 to help meet the need ahead of winter temperatures.
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