The Other Side Village celebrates its Grand Opening. The Other Side Village is a self-reliant, safe, sober community for Utah's chronically homeless. This phase of the Village has 60 of the eventual 430 homes.

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Other Side Village celebrates the grand opening of the Village with the first residents moving into new cottage homes today. The sixty homes in this first phase are part of an eventual 430-cottage community that offers on-site supportive services and employment for those who have experienced chronic homelessness in the Salt Lake City area. The event is being held today at the site of the development at 1882 W Indiana Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT at 2:00 pm on December 30, 2024.

Community leaders, government officials, volunteers, donors, supporters, staff, and future Village residents will gather together for a short ceremony and hear from Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Joseph Grenny, Chair of The Other Side Village.

"Today, we bring a new model for addressing chronic homelessness to the State," stated Joseph Grenny, Chair of The Other Side Village. "The Other Side Village takes a 'Human First' rather than 'Housing First' approach. Our average Villager has experienced over nine years of homelessness. Here they gain not just permanent housing, but help in transforming their lives by changing behaviors in a loving, accountable, and self-reliant community."

In the Fall of 2022, Salt Lake City Council approved a zoning change and the lease of 8 acres of city-owned property to The Other Side Village to build the first phase of a larger proposed development. This first phase has 60 small cottage homes of 350 square feet in size. Today's ceremony include groundbreaking for an onsite medical and mental health clinic and the opening of the first Neighborhood Center for Village activities. Jan Bergeson, Executive Director of Ally Bank's CRA program will give some remarks representing Ally Bank, one of the major donors for the community center that will be connected to the clinic. Future buildings in this phase include an on-site social enterprise building for more on-site employment and to generate revenue to help cover the Village to become self-reliant.

"Today's event celebrates the hard work of thousands who have helped make this Village a reality. Individuals, foundations, organizations, and businesses from across the State have contributed time, skills, funds, and support to get the site ready. Many have volunteered for long hours during the holidays to finish and furnish the homes because they believe in what the Village represents," stated Tim Stay, a Board Member of The Other Side Village. "But this project is more than just a housing project. This project is about whole-person change for those who have been lost on our streets and communities. Our average resident that is moving in has be homeless for over 9 years and most have battled mental health challenges. The transformation in their lives has been remarkable to see as they have prepared to move into the Village."

Joseph Grenny gives special acknowledgement for Mayor Erin Mendenhall's leadership in helping make the Village a reality. He also thanks the Salt Lake City Council, in particular Council Member Alejandro Puy, for their vision and support. The Salt Lake City staff, building and planning departments and the Glendale and Poplar Grove communities have been faithful partners, as have Salt Lake County, the State of Utah and hundreds of corporate and individual donors and foundations within Utah.

"This village is the first of its kind in the state and exists because we've recognized housing alone will not end homelessness; belonging changes lives," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "The Village will be a beacon of hope and healing from today onward. I want to express my sincere gratitude to The Other Side staff, who are exceptional because of the community and collaboration they foster."

To qualify for a home within The Other Side Village, a resident must be chronically homeless in Utah. Their income must be below 30% of the Average Medium Income for Salt Lake City. They must agree to work live a sober lifestyle, which they are assisted in doing while attending The Other Side Prep School prior to receiving a home. Villagers pay subsidized rent, which helps the Village toward commitment of operational self-reliance.

Many current and future residents will have medical and mental health challenges. The Other Side Village is partnering with a local licensed clinical provider to provide on-site mental health services through their licensed professionals.

"Having on-site medical and mental health care is critical," stated Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village. "This provides Villagers consistent mental health care visits with licensed clinicians, to stabilize with consistent use of medications, and to have the support and advocacy of on-site case managers we call Village Coaches. All of these things have been missing in their lives while living on the streets or in shelters."

Residents can find employment at one of the on-site social enterprises, like the award-winning Other Side Donuts, located just around the corner from the Village at 760 S Redwood Road.

"This is just the start of our dream. We have already begun work on developing the adjacent 30 acres to have a total of over 430 homes onsite to help hundreds more of those still living in encampments, on the streets and in the shelters," stated Joseph Grenny. "Our commitment is to make the Village a proud asset of Salt Lake's West Side while showing the Utah Way of addressing a complex social challenge."

The public is invited to attend the ceremony. There will be refreshments, musical numbers, and tours of some of the cottage homes.

Media Contact

Jen Howick, The Other Side Village, 1 801-864-4757, tim@theothersidevillage.com, www.theothersidevillage.com

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SOURCE The Other Side Village