Jeremiah Allen, our Construction Management instructor at the Davis Catalyst Center, was invited to the Other Side Village earlier this fall in Salt Lake City, for a special press conference. The purpose of the meeting was to both celebrate with those who have contributed to the success of the village in fulfilling its mission, and to also officially announce phase two of their development, which will include 400 more units. The Catalyst Center has built two tiny homes for the Other Side Village, and will be completing two more in the next few months. As we wrap up these third and fourth home, we already have a crew started on a fifth, which will be a new, different design.
“Building the tiny homes for the Other Side Village has been the best project-based learning I can give my students preparing for a career in construction.”
- Jeremiah Allen, Construction Management Instructor
It has been wonderful to have our DSD students contribute in a small way to create a solution to homelessness, by building tiny homes that become a short or long-term housing solution for those committed to the values of the Other Side Village and who are pursuing career training at either the Other Side Academy or other educational or training institutions. The Other Side Village operates on donations from individuals, business, and organizations, and receives no tax dollars.
Speakers at the September event shared the vision of the village as being part of a “a long-term, thoughtful solution” and a place where tenants can “forge bonds of love and friendship.” From the Other Side Village website it states:
“For many, it takes more than housing to overcome years of homelessness. Lasting healing and change require immersing oneself in a new community, overcoming unhealthy habits used to cope with stress on the streets, gaining new problem-solving skills, and developing habits that help achieve one’s potential. Some have misinterpreted “Housing First” research to mean the provision of housing with no expectations.
We believe that the same conditions that lead to a fulfilling life for the rest of the world apply to the chronically homeless as well. We all need social support, meaningful work, safety, peers who hold us accountable to healthy norms and a sense of purpose in order to thrive. Few people would ever achieve their potential if they weren’t embedded in a community that expected something of them. The Other Side Village is simply a healthy community that helps people learn to live in a healthy community.”
Caption (photos 1-3 below): Speakers share vision of Phase 2, and the donuts we purchased at the "Other Side Village" in celebration of the September press conference.
Caption (photos 4-6 below): Starting on home #5 for the Other Side Village (November 6, 2025)
