Former Motel 6 in South Salt Lake Approved as Family Homeless Shelter (South Salt Lake, Utah)

The former Motel 6 at 315 W. 3300 South in South Salt Lake is set to become a family homeless shelter, following the city’s approval of zoning changes. The City Council unanimously voted to move forward with the project, which will serve up to 85 families. The facility is expected to open in March or April 2025, addressing a growing need as Salt Lake County’s family-focused homeless resource center faces a waiting list of 80 to 100 groups.

South Salt Lake officials had delayed the project since September, citing concerns about potentially hosting a new 1,200-bed homeless campus at the county-owned Oxbow Jail. Despite these delays, project leaders from The Road Home and Shelter the Homeless, who purchased the former motel in 2023, remained committed to opening the shelter. The city’s community and economic development director, Jonathan Weidenhamer, expressed confidence in the plan, noting the thorough preparation and understanding of the facility’s operations.

The decision to approve the shelter comes as winter approaches, heightening the urgency for additional housing options. Homelessness leaders have been advocating for a new family shelter since 2022, when parents with children were first turned away from shelters due to capacity. The new facility aims to alleviate the strain on existing resources and provide a more stable environment for families in need.

Text messages obtained through a public records request reveal that South Salt Lake officials initially planned to discuss the family shelter proposal at a September 25 council meeting. However, the hearing was postponed as state officials considered the Oxbow Jail site for a larger homeless campus. A state official noted the city’s intention to pause the family shelter plan and publicly oppose the Oxbow proposal, highlighting the complex interplay between local and state initiatives.

The suburb of South Salt Lake, home to 26,000 residents, already hosts two jails and a men’s homeless shelter. The new family shelter represents a significant step toward addressing the specific needs of families experiencing homelessness. With the city’s approval, the project is now poised to move forward, offering hope to those waiting for a place to call home.

Micah 6:8 calls for justice, mercy, and humility in service to others. As communities seek to meet the needs of the vulnerable, the approval of this shelter reflects a commitment to these principles. The project underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to provide dignity and stability to those in need.

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