Salt Lake City Microshelter Village
Over the past 24 months, the state of Utah has been working with RPM Team to evaluate sites, create a regional based approach and develop a mass multi agency center strategic plan to reduce the state’s homeless population. The culmination of this relationship resulted in the state’s office of homeless solutions choosing a Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) site and implementing Phase 1 of its strategic plan. Working together with the state’s department of facilities and construction, and the federal highway administration, the UDOT site selection is the beginning of a multi-phased approach to offer temporary housing for Utah’s unhoused population. Much like California’s partnership with its Caltrans department of transportation, the State of Utah is also utilizing its state transit agency to find suitable locations.
Phase 1 is the relocation of the state's already owned 25 Foldum units to this new site. Foldum’s customizable and secure microshelters provide much needed temporary shelters and the case management space which enable wrap-around services. The site also includes temporary trailer bathrooms and shower facilities.
Upon project completion, inhabitants of the navigation center expressed enthusiasm for the new site. Appreciating unique design elements, and inviting spaces, the site offfers a a warm and welcoming atmosphere compared to the the sterile feel of the previous facility.
Phase 2 is planned to introduce a large Sprung Structures navigation building that will house the day and dining space, staff quarters for operations, offices for in-kind service providers, and permanent and robust laundry, showers, bathrooms, locker and changing room space. Additionally, Phase 2 will also bring another 25 units for the site's ultimate occupancy of providing 100 non congregate micro shelters.
What is a microshelter? A microshelter is a small, temporary housing unit designed to provide shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. They are often constructed from prefabricated materials and are typically placed in designated areas, such as parking lots or vacant land. Microshelters are intended to offer a more stable and secure alternative to traditional shelters or sleeping outdoors.
Rendering of site
Aerial view of Salt Lake City Microshelter Community
Aerial rendering
Photo of Foldum units at the site
