Five years ago, a beacon of hope rose on 300 East in Salt Lake City. It was called the Magnolia Apartments — a $17 million permanent supportive housing complex aimed at offering Utah’s chronically homeless population not just shelter, but dignity. With quartz countertops, city views, and private balconies, Magnolia was more luxury condo than transitional housing. The idea? Give people security first — and stability will follow.
That was the theory.
But according to both residents and policymakers, the reality inside Magnolia has become far darker, more chaotic, and in some cases, tragic…