SALT LAKE CITY — State, county, housing, and behavioral health leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of KWB Apartments, a new permanent supportive housing community that will provide 67 apartments for 71 individuals exiting long-term homelessness and living with serious mental illness. The development pairs affordable housing with 24/7 supportive services, including case management, mental health care, recovery support, and medical care coordination. The $26.2 million project was developed through a partnership of public, private, and philanthropic organizations and marks a major milestone in efforts to address chronic homelessness in Utah.
The building is named in honor of Kerry W. Bate, whose decades of leadership with both Housing Connect and First Step House helped shape affordable housing and supportive housing efforts throughout the region. During the ceremony, speakers reflected on both the significance of the new housing and the legacy of the leader whose name the building bears.
“This represents so much work and effort to provide for the least of those among us who have challenges that they didn’t ask for, that they don’t deserve, but that they are going to have to live with, and we care for those among us who have those challenges.”
—Steve Waldrip, the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy
Several speakers emphasized the role permanent supportive housing plays in helping people achieve stability after experiencing homelessness.
“I’ve seen firsthand how instrumental permanent supportive housing can be to help people stabilize, heal, and rebuild their lives.”
—Lily Ward of the Utah Office of Homeless Services
“This housing meets the essential and important needs that build the foundation for people with serious mental illness who have had a life of homelessness,” Colopy said. “They no longer need to worry that they won’t have shelter, sleep, safety, or nutrition, and they can now focus on health, life skills, and friendships.”
—Kelly Colopy, Salt Lake County Behavioral Health
The event also highlighted the lasting influence of Kerry W. Bate’s leadership. Janice Kimball, CEO of Housing Connect, credited him with helping transform the organization into a housing developer capable of creating projects like KWB Apartments.
“Under Kerry’s leadership, we became an agency that had the capacity to develop affordable housing,” Kimball said. “He made decisions that improved our financial stability, and we benefit from those changes to this day.”
—Janice Kimball, CEO of Housing Connect
In his own remarks, Bate turned his attention to the future residents who will soon call the building home.
“I want to stress the importance of the incoming tenants because they are the ones that will create the culture here and the environment of this complex and ensure its success. We all want to welcome them here with everything we have.”
—Kerry William Bate
As leaders cut the ceremonial ribbon and toured the new building, many pointed to KWB Apartments as an example of what is possible when housing providers, healthcare professionals, behavioral health agencies, government partners, and community stakeholders work together. The first residents are expected to begin moving in on September 18. When full, the KWB Apartments will be a permanent home for 71 individuals with serious mental illness and a history of homelessness.