SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (May 6, 2026) — Shelter the Homeless and The Road Home today marked the one-year anniversary of the Family Interim Non-Congregate Housing (FINCH) program, a first-of-its-kind model in Utah providing private shelter for families experiencing homelessness, alongside the opening of a new playground designed to serve families at the South Salt Lake site, made possible by HomeAid Utah and Utah West Landscape.
FINCH is Utah’s first non-congregate shelter for families, providing each family with a private living space rather than shared rooms, with direct client services and programming offered by The Road Home. The facility also offers a communal dining area, playroom and laundry room.
“When families arrive at FINCH, everything in their lives is uncertain,” said Laurie Hopkins, executive director of Shelter the Homeless. “Creating a safe place where children can play and parents can access supportive services brings a sense of security that truly matters. It’s how family stability is rebuilt.”
The new playground also includes a picnic area and long-lasting artificial grass, creating a safe, welcoming space for families to gather and children to play.
Since opening in May of 2025, FINCH has:
- Served 148 families (including 223 children), with 65% exiting into stable housing
- Provided 56,243 hot meals to residents and access to donated clothing and school supplies
- Supported school-age children to remain in the classroom and provided parents with access to housing connections and employment opportunities
“At The Road Home, we know that stability starts with safety, privacy and a place where families can begin to breathe again. Over the past year, FINCH has shown that when families have their own space and the right support, they can move forward with confidence. This new playground is more than a place to play. It is a reminder to children and parents alike that brighter days are ahead,” said Michelle Flynn, chief executive officer of The Road Home.
That impact is also reflected in how local leaders view the program’s role in the community.
“FINCH is helping fill a critical gap for families in our community who have nowhere else to go,” said Cherie Wood, South Salt Lake mayor. “Projects like this show what’s possible when we invest in solutions that move people out of crisis and into a supportive, healing environment.”
Originally a Motel 6, FINCH was redeveloped by Shelter the Homeless to address a critical gap in family shelter services. The facility currently serves 45 families, including 70 children and 57 adults.
“This playground reflects what can happen when Utah’s building community comes together to support families in need,” said Lisa Wright, executive director of HomeAid Utah. “We’re proud to help create a space on FINCH’s campus that brings a sense of comfort, dignity and joy during a difficult time.”
Shelter the Homeless is the non-profit organization that owns and oversees FINCH and six homeless resource centers across Salt Lake County, serving men, women, families and medically vulnerable older adults. These facilities account for more than 90% of available shelter beds in the region, with approximately 73% of participants securing stable housing within 90 days.
FINCH is operated by The Road Home and serves families through a coordinated referral process managed by the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness. Families at FINCH have access to onsite case managers who help connect them with education, employment and healthcare services.