Davis County commissioners are expected to vote Friday on a $4.7 million federal loan that would launch the county's first permanent supportive housing facility, a 60-unit complex projected to cost $20 million and serve chronically homeless residents.

The Board of Davis County Commissioners holds a special public hearing at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at the Davis County Administration Building, 61 S. Main St., Suite 303, Farmington. Residents can attend or submit written comments. The hearing is a federal requirement before HUD will accept the county's Section 108 loan application.

As we reported Aug. 8, the hearing date and loan amount were set earlier this month. The county's full application packet details the scope: all 60 units would house individuals earning 30% or less of the area median income, with rental assistance such as project-based vouchers secured for a majority of units. The building would consist primarily of studio and one-bedroom apartments.

Where the money goes

The $4.7 million Section 108 loan breaks down as $3.5 million for land acquisition, $700,000 for site preparation and $500,000 for soft costs including architecture and engineering fees, according to the application. The remaining $15.3 million in construction costs would come from Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Private Activity Bonds, Utah Olene Walker Housing Loan Funds, county CDBG/HOME allocations and private debt.

The county would repay the loan primarily through project rental income and operating subsidies. Annual payments would not exceed $350,000 to $400,000, the application states, well within the county's typical CDBG allocation of more than $900,000.

A growing need

The county's annual Point-In-Time homeless count has climbed from 71 households in 2021 to 127 in 2025, nearly an 80% increase, according to the Utah Balance of State Continuum of Care count cited in the application.

"We want to get upstream of homelessness," Community and Economic Development Director Kent Andersen told the commission on July 28, when commissioners ratified a $4 million purchase contract for a five-acre parcel in Clearfield near Workforce Services. That purchase is contingent on HUD approving the loan, and the formal application leaves the site as to-be-determined pending approval.

Davis County currently has no permanent supportive housing.

It operates only a seasonal emergency warming center from mid-October through April under state Code Blue requirements.

Who's involved

Community Services Manager Ryan Steinbeigle, who recommended the agenda item, will present the application alongside Grants Administrator Samantha Brand and Housing and Homelessness Coordinator Ryan Parker. The commission consists of Chair Bob Stevenson, Vice Chair Lorene Kamalu and Commissioner John Crofts.

Seven organizations have committed letters of support or service agreements: Davis Behavioral Health, Bountiful Food Pantry, Davis Technical College, PARC, Open Doors, Intermountain Health and Utah State University. The facility would include on-site service space with private case management rooms, a community area, a computer lab and potential space for a health clinic.

In a July 2025 presentation to the Farmington City Council, part of the county's outreach to all municipalities, Steinbeigle cited Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, where permanent supportive housing reduced overall homelessness by 46.3% and achieved a 97% retention rate after launching in 2015.

What's next

The project carries a 48-month timeline: 12 months for site identification and loan approval, followed by financing and design, then construction, with a target opening around month 47. Post-completion targets include a 90% or higher annual housing retention rate.

The commission's vote on the loan application is expected Friday. A developer would be selected through a competitive RFP process.