City Cast Austin logo
March 8, 2026

'Your City Could Be Better': What Austin Needs To Know About Utah's Controversial 'Homeless Campus' Plan

City Cast Austin

'Your City Could Be Better': What Austin Needs To Know About Utah's Controversial 'Homeless Campus' Plan

00:00:00
View all City Cast Austin episodes

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Austin are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers.

Mentioned on the show:


Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Austin

Stay connected to City Cast Austin and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
October 31

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Who Controls Austin’s Autonomous Vehicles?

Why are there so many Waymos in Austin? As it turns out, Texas law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prev...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 30

What’s the most horrific place someone could take you on a first date in Austin?

We’re getting into it in today’s members-only podcast episode.  For City Cast Austin Contributor Eric Webb nothing could be worse th...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 29

Your Guide to November 2026 in Austin

Wondering what to do and eat in Austin in November? We’ve got you covered. Host Miles Bloxson, Austin Monthly executive editor Bryan C. P...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 27

UT Gets More Conservative, New Task Force to Save Red River, and a Club Phone Ban

We all know the saying: what starts at the University of Texas changes the world. But now, a conservative movement making sweeping change...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 23

Is 2026 the Perfect Storm for Texas Democrats?

We’re back with our second members-only podcast episode, y’all! This is for everyone wondering what the heck the outcome of the midterm e...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 22

Can Petitions Save AISD From a Takeover? Plus, Local Elections and Women’s Basketball

Who will represent Austin’s evolving East Side on city council? That’s the question Austin voters living in District 1 confront during th...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 20

Will Austin FC Take a Stance on ICE? Plus, Gentrification Near an HBCU and a Business Roundup

Can you be a good neighbor without knowing Austin’s history? That’s one of the questions City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson discusses wi...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 16

Could Franklin BBQ Stop Selling Brisket One Day?

In our first-ever, members-only podcast episode, the BBQ King himself, Franklin Barbecue Chef Aaron Franklin, admits something scandalous...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 15

Is Austin the Best Coffee City? Plus, Halloween Bars and an Early Voting Quiz

Early voting begins on Monday, Oct. 19. Do you have what you need to cast a ballot? City Cast Austin creative producer Elissa Castles put...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art
October 13

Are Texas Schools Using AI to Ban Books? Plus, Driverless Cars in Austin and New Michelin Stars

Two Austin restaurants earned Michelin stars for the first time this month, but one lost theirs. City Cast Austin creative producer Eliss...

City Cast Austin podcast episode art