Protect Wetlands
This proposal will cause further damage to imperiled Great Salt Lake wetlands.Great Salt Lake wetlands are under tremendous development pressure. And, in particular, south shore wetlands that this proposed mega shelter would pave over.
The proposed homeless shelter is on land included in the Shoreline Area Preservation Plan. Supported by Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County the plan is designed to protect wetlands and mitigate development impacts. Because the area is low-lying and contains wetlands, it also is frequently full of mosquitos.
The Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement district has expressed concern about the location, in part based on the experience at prison. As long as there are wetlands in the area, there will be a serious mosquito problem, and it is not likely to be "solved" by relentless insecticide spraying. The more insecticides are sprayed the more the mosquitoes become resistant, and they even become more aggressive, increasing their bite rate. And, insecticides are biologic poisons, proven to harm human health at low, environmentally relevant doses.
This homeless population will be particularly vulnerable because many will already be experiencing mental health issues and cognitive problems, and be immunocompromised, which are two of the most prominent, documented health hazard/side effects of insecticides.
Environmental & Community Impact
Email Template
Subject: Protect Northpoint and the Great Salt Lake Wetlands
Dear [Legislator’s Name],
I urge you to halt the proposed 1,300-bed homeless campus in Northpoint (2550 North 2200 West). The site sits within the Great Salt Lake wetlands — an area the Shoreline Area Preservation Plan was designed to protect. Paving it over would permanently damage fragile ecosystems, worsen mosquito and pesticide problems, and endanger both residents and future shelter occupants.
This project would also destroy Salt Lake City’s last agricultural community, replacing farmland and family homes with a massive industrial-scale facility. Utah can and should expand shelter capacity, but not at the expense of wetlands, public health, and neighborhood stability.
Please advocate for smaller, distributed shelters and affordable housing across the state — a more humane, sustainable approach that works for everyone.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
General Constituents Email Template
Subject: Please Reconsider the Northpoint Homeless Campus Proposal
Dear [Legislator’s Name],
I’m writing to express serious concern about the proposed homeless shelter complex at 2550 North 2200 West in Salt Lake City’s Northpoint community. While I strongly support compassionate, effective solutions to homelessness, this plan would create significant safety, environmental, and financial challenges for one small neighborhood and for taxpayers statewide.
Northpoint is a long-established agricultural community—not an empty field. Building a 1,300-bed campus there would destroy wetlands, strain infrastructure, and repeat costly mistakes made with the new state prison. Utah can expand shelter capacity and help more people by renovating existing sites and investing in smaller, accessible facilities near transportation and services.
Please oppose the Northpoint proposal and support sustainable, community-based alternatives that truly address homelessness.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]