'Your City Could Be Better': What Philly Needs To Know About Utah's Controversial 'Homeless Campus' Plan
Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Philadelphia are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers.
Mentioned on the show:
- Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake)
Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!
We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter
Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Blank Street Coffee is Just the Latest NYC Business in Philly – Why?
In recent weeks there’s been online chatter about whether Philadelphians should patronize Blank Street, a New York coffee chain that open...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One Oregon City is Lowering Energy Costs — Presented By City Cast Philly
What’s a seemingly small project in Philly that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just...

Teen Meet-Ups, Thousands of Homes Under Construction & a New Museum That’s All About Us
We’re talking about teen meet-ups stirring public safety concerns — where are the spaces for youth to hang out across the city? Plus, the...

Voting Republican in Philly, Finding Use for the Roundhouse & Staycationing on the Delaware River
The Republican party faces an uphill battle as they try to win support in a hugely Democratic city. Host Trenae Nuri is joined by creativ...

Drag Shows, Science Museum Closure & Mayoral Candidates. Plus: Our Favorite Bar Food
City Council held its first session last week introducing nearly 50 bills and resolutions ranging from keeping life affordable in the cit...

Why is PA Fighting the CDC? Plus: City Trash Contracts & Will Roosevelt Blvd Get a Subway
Pennsylvania has reported four measles deaths in the past month, marking the first deaths in the Commonwealth related to once-eradicated...

Rocky’s Final Run Up the Art Museum Steps
The Rocky statue has been playing musical chairs between the top, bottom, and inside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It’s now taking i...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Philly Is Reducing Violence With Parks
Did you know that Philly neighborhoods have seen drops in depression and crime, all because vacant lots were revitalized? Thanks to the P...

House of Horrors in Olney, Judge Wants Krasner Investigated & an Evacuation at City Hall
City Hall was evacuated Thursday morning during City Council’s first meeting of the season after a suspicious package was found. Host Tre...

Should PPA Rent Parking Spots to ICE? Plus: Job Search Tips & Pay-What-You-Can Dining
A couple of Philadelphia restaurants are bringing back the pay-what-you-can model of customers ordering what they want and then just payi...

