The Other Side Village: Transforming Lives of Chronically Unhoused
The Other Side Village, a pioneering program near Salt Lake City, is transforming lives. It targets the chronically unhoused, typically living outside for years with significant addiction or mental illness. The program requires residents to get sober, work, and attend life skills classes to regain lost abilities. It aims to become self-sufficient through its businesses and has raised funds from donors and state funding.
The Village began a decade ago focusing on reintegrating people with a history of crime. It later expanded to tackle chronic homelessness, which reached a record high in the U.S. last year, with over 150,000 people living outside. The program offers specialized accommodation, rehabilitation, and mental health treatment. It runs businesses to create jobs for residents, who must maintain sobriety, pay rent, and work to graduate to permanent housing after 6-12 months, decided by fellow residents.
Jennifer Davis, a graduate of the program, now works at The Other Side Donuts and has regained her professional career and housing. The Village plans to double its prep school enrollment and build hundreds more tiny cottages for permanent housing in the next few years. However, the model's success may be challenging to scale up due to its sober and work requirements, which bar federal funding.
The Other Side Village has proven successful in reintegrating chronically unhoused individuals into society. With plans to expand and double its impact, the program offers hope to the many lives affected by chronic homelessness. Despite potential challenges in scaling up, the Village continues to make strides in transforming lives through its unique approach.
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