Beginning in Dec. 2022, The Other Side Village, located in Utah, aims to end homelessness through their program. The village is a 39 acre lot in Salt Lake City that accommodates 430 homes, businesses and community buildings.
Within this community, residents relearn essential life skills, including social interaction, problem solving and financial management. They also receive mental health and rehabilitation treatment. The program states, “we found the right neighborhood to open doors for so many in need.”
The American Addiction Center says homelessness is often linked to addiction, mental health challenges and the loss of basic life skills. These issues can make reintegration into society difficult, especially without a transitional period. Without continued support, individuals may relapse, contributing to a cycle of homelessness.
The Other Side Village program seeks to provide residents with life skills, a sense of connection and consistent support, factors shown to increase the chances of breaking the cycle.
The program, called The Other Side Village Prep School, lasts six months to a year and provides residents with resources and stability aimed at keeping them off the streets. The program is led by coaches who were formerly homeless, struggled with addiction or faced other hardships, offering residents relatable role models and a sense of community.
At the end of the program, coaches and residents vote on whether an individual is ready to “graduate” by moving into a permanent cottage within the village.
The Other Side Village is funded entirely through donations and sponsorships, primarily from local businesses and schools in and around Utah. It is staffed by coaches and volunteers, all working toward the shared goal of ending homelessness.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, from 2023 to 2024, homelessness in the U.S. increased by 18 percent and reached a record high of 771,480 people. This increase was driven by the housing affordability crisis in the U.S.
With record high rates of homelessness, The Other Side Village and similar programs are expected to continue expanding.
