Is Housing First a viable solution or just repeating the past? What actually works to end homelessness? Communities across the U.S. have debated and tested solutions, from housing first to human first, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and emergency shelters. But Housing First has gained national traction, a strategy that prioritizes permanent housing without conditions, followed up by supportive services.

In this episode of Top of Mind, Julie Rose dives deep into Salt Lake City’s commitment to the Housing First approach, which launched two decades ago, making it one of the first cities in the country to fully embrace this model. Nearly two decades later, Salt Lake City serves as a revealing case study for the successes, challenges, and evolving nature of efforts to solve homelessness in America.

GUESTS

Tyler Clancy, Utah State Representative

Michelle Flynn, Executive Director of The Road Home since 2020 (https://theroadhome.org/).

Dave Durocher, Executive Director of The Other Side Academy (https://www.theothersideacademy.com/).

Amy Daeschel, Director of Outreach, Clinical Intake & SSP at the Odyssey House of Utah (https://www.odysseyhouse.org/).

Robbie Myrick, Director of Human First Culture at The Other Side Village (https://theothersidevillage.com/about-the-village/)

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:42 Utah's Housing First Success Story

01:37 Challenges and Criticisms of Housing First

02:14 Permanent Supportive Housing

07:21 The Magnolia Apartments: A New Approach

19:21 Policy Shifts and Legislative Actions

28:19 Personal Stories and Impact

30:52 A Turning Point: Accepting Treatment

31:18 The Journey to Recovery

32:15 The Other Side Academy: A Unique Approach

33:36 Jared Campbell's Story

34:50 Life at The Other Side Academy

42:22 The Other Side Village: A New Beginning

50:36 Reflections and Conclusion