An overnight homeless shelter in Sugarhouse has opened its doors a week after it was announced. It's located in the old Deseret Industries building on 1100 East. Photo: Kelli Pierce
SALT LAKE CITY – A new overnight homeless shelter in the Sugar House neighborhood of Salt Lake City is opening a week after it was announced.
Shelter the Homeless Executive Director Preston Cochrane said the city, as well as many local charities, worked tirelessly to make the old Deseret Industries building on 1100 East ready.
“There will be areas that are closed off for security. We’ve added separation for both men and women with the wall. There are indoor bathrooms,” Cochrane said.
The wall separating men and women does not run the length of the bedroom area, but Cochrane says they also have security to make sure everyone is safe.
He also stressed that the heater will be working and that shuttles will take people from the Weigand Homeless Resource Center and other places to the new shelter.
The temporary facility for the homeless in Sugar House has 145 beds total and accepts single men and women. It will be open daily from 10p.m. until 7a.m.
Cochrane says the city will have to look for a new shelter spot after April, as the building is slated to be demolished.
While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated blankets, and Intermountain Healthcare has committed to washing them, the new shelter is still in need of feminine hygiene products, socks, and winter wear.
Neighbors like Tamerin Smith still have concerns about the Sugar House homeless shelter but are generally supportive.
“We do want to see solutions, and we got this empty building. We don’t want them out in the cold,” Smith said.
More resources and related stories:
How to help the homeless in the Salt Lake City area
Donation drive benefits new Sugarhouse homeless shelter
Homeless advocates give update after closure of Road Home shelter
Homeless advocates unveil new hotline for people who need shelter
Tune to KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM for continuing coverage on homelessness in Utah in our series, Stories from the Streets. Part 1 is available here.