Davis County taxpayers are a step closer to funding the county's first permanent supportive housing facility after commissioners voted Tuesday, July 28 to ratify a $4 million contract to buy five acres of vacant land in Clearfield.
The deal hinges on one condition: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development must approve a $4.7 million Section 108 loan guarantee that would fund the land purchase and related costs. If HUD says no, the purchase dies.
The three-member commission approved the contract at its morning meeting at the county administration building in Farmington, according to the commission's agenda packet.
"We want to get upstream of homelessness," Kent Andersen, the county's Community and Economic Development director, told the commission.
The parcel sits north of the Tanner building and west of Workforce Services in Clearfield. Andersen said the site was chosen for its proximity to transportation, workforce services, and mental health services. Clearfield City identified the location after the county asked municipalities to weigh in on suitable sites.
What the project would look like
The facility would cap at 60 units of permanent supportive and transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness. Davis County currently has no permanent supportive housing, according to the county's 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. The county operates a seasonal emergency warming center from mid-October through April under state Code Blue requirements, but the new facility would provide year-round housing with on-site services and case management.
County staff presented the permanent supportive housing concept to the Farmington City Council in July 2025, describing a model with a two-year maximum stay and services including job training, counseling, and medical care.
What comes next
If HUD approves the loan, the county targets closing on the land by Nov. 16. After that, the county must issue a request for proposals to find a developer partner before construction begins. Andersen said he hopes the project will be completed in three years.
Individual commissioner vote tallies have not been confirmed. Meeting minutes had not been posted as of Wednesday, July 29. The commission consists of Chair Bob Stevenson, Vice Chair Lorene Kamalu, and Commissioner John Crofts.
Residents can email comments to [email protected]. Commission meetings are livestreamed on the Davis County YouTube channel.
