Salt Lake City opens permanent supportive housing for people leaving homelessness

Overview

Updated Oct 8

The KWB Apartments opened September 17, adding 67 permanent supportive housing units for adults with serious mental illness leaving long-term homelessness. The first two residents moved in the next day, with on-site mental health care, case management and recovery support.

The $26 million project by First Step House and Housing Connect is the latest piece of Utah's three-year build-out of homelessness infrastructure, which also includes a 50-bed microshelter community and a planned 600-to-800-bed emergency shelter. The question is whether permanent housing with services keeps more people off the streets than shelter beds alone.

Why it matters

These 67 units test whether Utah can move people from chronic homelessness into stable housing with on-site care, not just shelter them temporarily.

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Key Indicators

$26M

KWB Apartments project cost

Financed with federal and state tax credits, covering construction of the 67-unit building.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Cody Sanders

Salt Lake regional director, Switchpoint

Oversees the microshelter community's daily operations

LaDonna Sidney

Microshelter community resident

Working two jobs while awaiting housing assistance

Shawn McMillen

Chief executive officer, First Step House

Leading the organization that operates KWB Apartments

Erik Enriquez

Program manager, KWB Apartments

Overseeing resident move-in at KWB Apartments

Organizations Involved

Switchpoint

Nonprofit homeless service provider

Operates Salt Lake City's microshelter community

Operates the state's microshelter community in Salt Lake City with 24/7 staffing and case management.

Utah Office of Homeless Services

State agency

Coordinates Utah's homelessness response and funding

The state agency that funds and oversees shelter and supportive housing programs across Utah.

Salt Lake City

Municipal government

Partner in shelter and housing initiatives

The city government partners with state agencies and nonprofits on homelessness infrastructure.

First Step House

Nonprofit supportive housing provider

Operates KWB Apartments

Provides permanent supportive housing and on-site services for people with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Housing Connect

Nonprofit affordable housing developer

Co-developer of KWB Apartments

Develops and operates affordable supportive housing in Salt Lake City.

Timeline

December 2023 September 2026

6 events Latest: September 18th, 2026 · 1 month ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

September 2026
First residents move into KWB Apartments
Latest Occupancy

Two adults with serious mental illness became the first residents, with more moves expected in the coming weeks.
September 18th, 2026
KWB Apartments opens in Salt Lake City
Opening

67 permanent supportive housing units open for people leaving chronic homelessness.
September 17th, 2026
March 2025
Utah Legislature funds low-barrier shelter expansion
Funding

State sets aside about $25 million for low-barrier shelter and plans 600-800 bed emergency shelter.
March 14th, 2025
September 2024
New 50-bed microshelter opens under freeway overpass
Facility

State relocates microshelter to UDOT property at 548 S 700 West, operated by Switchpoint.
September 28th, 2024
July 2024
Microshelter pilot site closes
Facility

Clients leave the original site to prepare for relocation to a new location.
July 22nd, 2024
December 2023
Salt Lake City opens first microshelter pilot
Facility

City and state partner to launch a 25-pod temporary microshelter community downtown.
December 15th, 2023

Scenarios

KWB Reaches Full Occupancy, Utah Expands Supportive Housing

Likely Resolves by Sep 17, 2027

Discussed by: Utah Office of Homeless Services; Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute analysts

If the 67 units fill quickly and residents stay housed, officials will point to KWB as proof the model works at scale. That momentum could fund additional permanent supportive housing developments across the state.

High Turnover at KWB Raises Questions About Housing First

Possible Resolves by Sep 17, 2027

Discussed by: State legislators skeptical of Housing First; University of Utah researchers

If a significant share of KWB residents return to homelessness within the first year, critics will argue the model overpromises. That would give state legislators cover to shift funds toward shelter beds and temporary options.

Utah Legislature Cuts Supportive Housing Funding in 2027 Budget

Unlikely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Utah Legislative Fiscal Analyst; state budget watchers

If the state faces a budget shortfall in 2027, the legislature could cut new funding for permanent supportive housing. That would freeze the pipeline for future projects like KWB and test whether existing units can sustain operations.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

March 2015

Utah's Housing First experiment (2015)

In 2015, Gov. Gary Herbert announced a 91% drop in chronic homelessness since 2005, crediting Utah's Housing First model, which places people in permanent housing without requiring sobriety first. The announcement made Utah a national case study in the approach.

Then

National media celebrated the result, and other states adopted similar policies. But subsequent counts found homelessness rising again in following years, complicating the success story.

Now

The experience left Utah officials determined to build durable housing supply rather than declare victory. It also fueled skepticism among some legislators about whether Housing First delivers lasting results.

Why this matters now

KWB Apartments is the latest bet on the Housing First model. Utah's earlier overclaimed success shows why officials now emphasize sustained housing production over headline numbers.

1992

Pathways to Housing (1992)

Psychologist Sam Tsemberis founded Pathways to Housing in New York City, pioneering the Housing First model: immediate, permanent housing with no precondition of sobriety or treatment. Randomized studies later showed Housing First clients stayed housed at significantly higher rates than those in treatment-first programs.

Then

The model spread to dozens of cities and became the basis for federal homelessness policy under HUD.

Now

It remains the dominant framework for ending chronic homelessness in the U.S., though questions persist about costs and service intensity.

Why this matters now

KWB follows the Pathways formula of housing without preconditions plus voluntary services. The model's decades of evidence is the backdrop for Utah's current investment.