Housing is the first domino. Without a confirmed address, parole and probation supervision in Utah cannot begin, employment cannot start, and benefits cannot be accessed. Utah's Adult Probation and Parole officers require an approved address before release is authorized. The housing search begins before the gate opens.
Utah operates one of the more developed state-run transitional housing systems in this series. The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) runs six Community Correctional Centers (CCCs) statewide, ranging from 60 to 300 beds, specifically designed for parolees and probationers who need transitional housing. Reentry planning begins on the first day of incarceration. The Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City is a nationally recognized free 30-month residential program for people who have hit rock bottom.
The Housing Landscape in Utah
Utah Department of Corrections (UDC, corrections.utah.gov) Reentry and Rehabilitation Division begins reentry planning on day one of incarceration. The Reentry Team collaborates with Workforce Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and the AP&P Reentry Team to connect returning citizens to community services before release. SLCC's Prison Education Program and the University of Utah's Utah Prison Education Program (UPEP) provide college credits and degree programming inside UDC facilities.
UDC Community Correctional Centers (CCCs): UDC operates six CCCs across the Wasatch Front and Utah County designed for offenders who need transitional housing upon release, additional treatment, or who are at risk of returning to prison:
Bonneville Community Correctional Center (Salt Lake City): 74 male parolees; opened in the 1980s; stabilizes and transitions parolees including sex offenders and mentally ill offenders into the community.
Fortitude Treatment Center (Salt Lake City, opened 2012): Designed to serve male parolees; transition facility with diverse approaches to meeting offender needs.
Northern Utah Correctional Center (Ogden): 154 beds; all-male; operated by UDC Adult Probation and Parole; serves both probationers and parolees.
Orange Street Women's Center (Salt Lake City): 60 women being paroled; gender-responsive programming; staff trained in strength-based interactions and gender-responsive issues.
West Valley City CCC: Serves the West Valley City area.
Utah County CCC: Serves Utah County.
CCCs range in size from 60 to 300 beds; some offer customized services. Families who want to visit or sponsor someone in a CCC must submit an online sponsorship/visiting application at corrections.utah.gov; the individual's inmate number is required. CCC placement is determined through UDC case management and the Board of Pardons and Parole.
For federal inmates, the Bureau of Prisons contracts with the GEO Group for a Residential Reentry Center (RRC) in Salt Lake City. The District of Utah GEO RRC accommodates up to 95 people with stays ranging from 30 days to approximately one year. Each resident has a case manager; programming includes transitional skills, job readiness, treatment coordination, and community involvement privileges earned through progress. BOP RRM Denver coordinates Utah federal placements. Federal RRC placement begins 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families do not apply to federal RRCs directly.
The Other Side Academy (661 E 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84102): A free, 30-month residential nonprofit life skills academy for men and women who have hit rock bottom, usually from a lifetime of addiction and criminal behavior. The Other Side Academy requires genuine commitment and hard work; it is available pre-sentence and upon release. There is no cost to participants. The Academy is nationally recognized for its effectiveness.
MentorWorks (11978 S. Redwood, Riverton, UT; 801-923-3351; info@fflut.org): A Family Life Center program providing transitional housing and a support system for men post-incarceration. Provides a safe, sober environment with food, clothing, transportation, outpatient treatment (partnership with Redwood Recovery), and assistance with employment, education, and long-term housing.
Odyssey House of Utah (344 E 100 South Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111; 801-322-3222): Life-changing substance abuse and mental health services; 2,300 people served annually; reentry-connected SUD treatment.
Volunteers of America Utah (252 W Brooklyn Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; 801-363-9400): Adult detox and SUD treatment; homeless outreach; housing case management; serves more than 10,000 people annually.
The Road Home (theroadhome.org): Major Salt Lake City emergency shelter and transitional housing provider; accepts people with criminal records; year-round.
Food and Care Coalition (Provo; 801-373-1825): Transitional housing rooms for single men and women in Provo; apply in person by appointment.
Building Beginnings (42 E 300 N., Spanish Fork, UT): Nonprofit for men in recovery from drugs and alcohol in Utah County.
Utah County Reentry Resource (utahcountyreentry.org): Comprehensive county-level resource directory for housing, reentry support, employment, and treatment in Utah County.
Federal Restrictions on Public and Subsidized Housing
Federal law divides criminal history restrictions on federally assisted housing into mandatory lifetime bans and discretionary bans. Both apply in Utah.
Mandatory lifetime bans apply regardless of which Utah housing authority is involved:
Anyone subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program is banned from admission to public housing and most HUD-assisted programs. This is federal statute and no Utah housing authority can waive it.
Anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on federally assisted property is permanently barred from all HUD-assisted housing.
Certain drug-related convictions carry mandatory restrictions depending on the specific program and conviction type, though PHAs retain some discretion in this category.
Discretionary bans apply to all other criminal history. Utah PHAs may consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket denials. HUD guidance from 2016 encourages individualized assessment. Utah PHAs vary in how broadly they apply discretionary standards. The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is administered locally, so the specific policy depends on which Utah PHA covers the relevant area.
Utah has no statewide fair chance housing law limiting private landlord or PHA use of criminal history beyond the federal framework. Confirm whether Salt Lake City or other Utah municipalities have adopted local fair chance housing protections at publish time.
For Families
If anyone in the family lives in public or subsidized housing, this section requires immediate attention before release.
Adding a returning family member with certain criminal convictions to a household in public or HUD-assisted housing can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Families in public housing must contact their specific housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation happens before release, not after.
For families in private rental housing, Utah has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions.
Utah's CCC system means that many parolees are placed directly into a state-operated transitional center, particularly in the Wasatch Front area. For families planning around this: the CCC placement is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole and the UDC case manager. Families who want to visit or sponsor someone in a CCC must register online with the individual's inmate number before arrival.
What families can do before release:
Contact the housing authority immediately if anyone in the household lives in public or subsidized housing. Get the specific policy before the person arrives.
Ask the UDC case manager about CCC placement eligibility and which CCC serves the region of intended release.
For people in addiction recovery: contact The Other Side Academy (661 E 100 South, Salt Lake City) -- available pre-sentence and upon release.
For men returning to the Salt Lake area: contact MentorWorks (801-923-3351; info@fflut.org).
For Utah County: use utahcountyreentry.org for housing resources and contact the Food and Care Coalition (801-373-1825).
For emergency shelter in Salt Lake City: contact The Road Home (theroadhome.org).
Call 211 Utah (dial 211) for housing referrals and reentry services by county.
Confirm all housing with the assigned parole or probation officer. An approved address is required before release.
State Resources
UDC Community Correctional Centers (corrections.utah.gov/inmate-services/reentry-and-rehabilitation/community-correctional-centers): Six CCCs statewide; Bonneville CCC (74 men), Fortitude Treatment Center (men), Northern Utah CC (154 beds Ogden), Orange Street Women's Center (60 women), West Valley City CCC, Utah County CCC.
UDC Reentry and Rehabilitation Division (corrections.utah.gov/inmate-services/reentry-and-rehabilitation): Reentry planning starts day one; AP&P Reentry Team; Workforce Services connections; prison education programs.
BOP/GEO Group RRC Salt Lake City: 95 beds; 30 days to ~1 year; case manager; drug testing; community sign-out. Contact through BOP case manager; BOP RRM Denver coordinates Utah placements.
The Other Side Academy (theothersideacademy.com; 661 E 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84102): Free 30-month residential life skills academy; men and women; no cost; available pre-sentence and upon release.
MentorWorks (fflut.org; 11978 S. Redwood, Riverton, UT; 801-923-3351; info@fflut.org): Transitional housing and support for men; sober environment; treatment partnership; employment and housing navigation.
Odyssey House of Utah (odysseyhouse.com; 344 E 100 South Street, Salt Lake City; 801-322-3222): SUD and mental health services; reentry-connected treatment.
Volunteers of America Utah (voaut.org; 252 W Brooklyn Avenue, Salt Lake City; 801-363-9400): Detox; SUD treatment; housing case management; 10,000+ people served annually.
The Road Home (theroadhome.org, Salt Lake City): Emergency shelter and transitional housing; accepts criminal records.
Utah County Reentry Resource (utahcountyreentry.org): Comprehensive Utah County resource directory for housing, reentry support, and treatment.
211 Utah (ut.211.org; dial 211): Free statewide referrals to housing, reentry services, shelter, and emergency assistance by county.
Utah Legal Services (utahlegalservices.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Utahns, including housing rights and expungement.
Frequently asked questions
Can a felon get into public housing in Utah?
It depends on the conviction type and the specific Utah housing authority. Federal law mandates lifetime bans from HUD-assisted housing for people subject to lifetime sex offender registration and for people convicted of meth production on federally assisted property. Outside those mandatory bans, Utah PHAs have discretion to consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. Policies vary across Utah's housing authorities. Contact the specific PHA in the relevant city or county for their current policy.
What are the federal housing bans for felons?
Two are mandatory everywhere: (1) lifetime sex offender registration bars admission from HUD-assisted housing, and (2) conviction for manufacturing meth on federally assisted property is a permanent bar. Beyond those, PHAs have discretion to consider other criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. HUD guidance from 2016 discourages blanket denials and encourages individualized assessments considering the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Can my family lose Section 8 if my person moves in?
Yes. Allowing a person with a disqualifying criminal history to reside in a Section 8 or public housing unit can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Contact the housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation with the PHA happens before release, not after.
How does transitional housing work in Utah?
UDC operates six Community Correctional Centers (CCCs) for parolees and probationers who need transitional housing. CCCs range from 60 to 300 beds and are located in Ogden, West Valley City, Salt Lake City (three), and Utah County. Placement is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole and UDC case management. The BOP/GEO RRC in Salt Lake City (95 beds) provides federal transitional housing. The Other Side Academy provides a free 30-month residential program for people who want a complete life change. MentorWorks provides men's transitional housing in Riverton. For federal inmates, BOP RRM Denver coordinates RRC placement beginning 17 to 19 months before release; under the First Step Act, programming credits can result in placement up to 12 months before release.
What are Utah's Community Correctional Centers?
Utah operates six UDC-run CCCs designed for offenders who need transitional housing upon release, additional treatment, or are at risk of returning to prison. Bonneville CCC in Salt Lake City houses 74 male parolees. Fortitude Treatment Center in Salt Lake City serves male parolees. Northern Utah Correctional Center in Ogden has 154 beds for men on probation or parole. Orange Street Women's Center in Salt Lake City has 60 beds for women being paroled, with gender-responsive programming. A West Valley City CCC and a Utah County CCC round out the network. Sizes range from 60 to 300 beds. CCC placement is through the Board of Pardons and Parole and UDC case management. Families must submit an online sponsorship application with the individual's inmate number at corrections.utah.gov before visiting.
How does federal RRC placement work in Utah?
The BOP unit team begins reviewing federal inmates for RRC eligibility 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. BOP RRM Denver manages Utah placements. The District of Utah GEO RRC in Salt Lake City provides 95 beds with stays ranging from 30 days to approximately one year. Each resident has a case manager and earns community privileges progressively. Under the First Step Act, programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families cannot apply to federal RRCs directly. Families can help by ensuring the planned release address is clearly documented with the BOP case manager well in advance.
Can landlords in Utah refuse to rent to ex-felons?
Yes. Utah has no statewide fair chance housing law. Landlords may use criminal history in tenant screening without state restrictions. Confirm whether Salt Lake City or other Utah municipalities have local fair chance housing protections at publish time. Landlords using background check services must comply with the federal FCRA, which requires consent and adverse action notices. HUD guidance advises that blanket criminal history bans may violate the federal Fair Housing Act through disparate impact. Utah Legal Services (utahlegalservices.org) provides free guidance on housing rights.
What housing programs help returning citizens in Utah?
UDC (corrections.utah.gov) operates six CCCs for state parolees and probationers. BOP/GEO RRC (95 beds) serves federal returning citizens in Salt Lake City. The Other Side Academy (theothersideacademy.com) provides a free 30-month residential program. MentorWorks (801-923-3351) provides men's transitional housing in Riverton. Odyssey House (801-322-3222) provides SUD treatment. VOA Utah (801-363-9400) provides detox and housing case management. The Road Home (theroadhome.org) provides emergency shelter and transitional housing in SLC. Utah County Reentry Resource (utahcountyreentry.org) lists county resources. 211 Utah (dial 211) provides county referrals. Utah Legal Services (utahlegalservices.org) provides free housing rights help.
How do I find housing before my person is released?
Ask the UDC case manager about CCC placement eligibility -- the Board of Pardons and Parole and UDC determine placement. Contact The Other Side Academy for recovery-focused long-term programming. Contact MentorWorks (801-923-3351) for men's transitional housing. For Utah County: use utahcountyreentry.org and contact Food and Care Coalition (801-373-1825). For federal inmates: discuss GEO RRC placement with the BOP case manager. Call 211 Utah for county referrals. If the family home is in public housing, contact the PHA immediately. Confirm all housing with the assigned parole or probation officer before release.
Do sex offenders face housing limits in Utah?
Yes. Utah law restricts registered sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of schools, daycare centers, parks, and other specified locations. Bonneville CCC in Salt Lake City does serve sex offenders; however, many other transitional housing programs will not accept registered sex offenders. UDC and AP&P supervision conditions for registrants may impose additional restrictions. Families of registrants must work directly with the supervising officer to identify compliant housing well before release. Confirm the current Utah statute (Utah Code §77-27-21.5 or current equivalent) and required distances at publish time. ---