Millcreek’s new homeless shelter brings concern for some
UPDATED: DECEMBER 30, 2022 AT 11:16 AM
FILE: Tony Lambert moves some of his belongings at his homeless encampment in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
(Photo credit: Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The city of Millcreek is getting a new winter overflow homeless shelter causing some residents to voice their concerns.
Mayor Jeff Silvestrini said the state gave the city the go-ahead to put the shelter in the vacant Calvin Smith Library located at 810 E. and 3300 S. The shelter will be open between October and April. The new site is part of the state’s plan to shoulder some of the load of caring for the homeless from Salt Lake City.
Silvestrini said this won’t be a walk-up shelter. People will be bussed to the main resource centers during the day. Even still, Silvestrini said residents worry about camping, panhandling and crime. The mayor noted that these are issues the city experiences anyway, with or without a shelter.
“The plan is that people would stay there at night but they would be bussed to the other resource centers for programming during the day and return in the evening,” said Silvestrini. Additionally, no meals will be served at the shelter.
Residents are also upset there wasn’t more public input taken on choices for the site.
“I know everyone is concerned about this, people are always concerned about this. But these shelters are necessary, it’s the humane thing to do and they have to go somewhere,” said Silvestrini.
A public meeting to address community concerns at the Calvin Smith Library is scheduled for the evening of September 15.