Affordable housing community for SLC's chronically homeless under construction
Approximately 60 one-bedroom modular homes are expected to be placed at The Other Side Village site by the end of this year. Photo courtesy of TOSV.
Phase One construction of The Other Side Village (TOSV) is now underway. The village, located at 1886 West Indiana Ave, is a self-reliant, master-planned neighborhood providing affordable housing, access to social services, and support for chronically homeless individuals in Salt Lake City. The majority of funding for Phase One came from private donations.
Phase One construction of The Other Side Village is under way, including sewer lines, manholes, and infill. Photo by David Ricketts
TOSV CEO Preston Cochrane said the first phase consists of 60 cottage-style homes for individuals coming out of chronic homelessness. One-bedroom homes will be placed as soon as the foundation and infrastructure on the property are complete. The completed gated community is expected to contain up to 430 homes.
“We already have several manholes and several hundred feet of sewer line installed, and we are putting infill on other parts of the site,” Cochrane said. “We might be optimistic, but we're expecting to have homes in place by late summer or early fall of this year.”
The homes will feature a diverse mix of architectural styles and construction methods. Amenities include a community inn with 21 unique Airbnb-style nightly rentals for public use, medical service access, mental health support, a food pantry, and job placement resources. Surveillance cameras will be installed to ensure safety.
Interest in creating a community for the homeless in Salt Lake City began in 2022 when Mayor Erin Mendenhall asked The Other Side Academy to research the possibility of building a tiny-home village. According to Mendenhall, “the city is experiencing a shortage of low-income housing to keep people off the streets.”
When The Other Side Village – a guarded and gated community for the formally chronically homeless – is eventually completed, it is expected to contain up to 430 cottage homes with strict peer counseling and surrounding support services. Image courtesy of TOSV.
“TOSV’s mission is to transform and empower the most vulnerable to become the best version of themselves,” Cochrane said. According to TOSV’s website, it is “developing a community with revolutionary services and attention to an individual’s relational needs at a fraction of the cost of traditional housing initiatives.”
Candidates are interviewed to determine eligibility, but individuals with sexual offenses or arson charges are not eligible for the program. Once accepted, each individual is also paired with a support coach to work towards whole-person change, and qualified candidates must receive instruction from the Village Preparatory School before becoming residents, according to Cochrane.
“The prep school is designed to address the root causes of homelessness so individuals can learn healthy behaviors and learn what it takes to live independently in order to maintain housing,” he said.
TOSV residents are required to follow three primary community covenants: pay rent on time, abide by civil law, and follow the rules of the community itself.
Despite precautions and safety measures taken, nearby residents have expressed concerns over the project. The Other Side Foundation Board Chairman Joseph Grenny said those involved with TOSV and its residents will be held accountable should problems arise.
For more information, visit the TOSV FAQs section at www.theothersidevillage.com/faqs/. The Village is actively recruiting participants from homeless resource centers and shelters, temporary micro-shelters, encampments, treatment programs, and street outreach. Those interested can call 801-618-1234 to schedule an interview.