SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Office of Homeless Services is evaluating five possible sites to build 1,200-bed mass congregate shelters.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Nomad Alliance, an organization for vulnerable populations, had some concerns about the proposed sites being too far from public transportation stops and resources.

“I don’t think this is the right place to do anything with homeless people or ugly people,” said Eric Hanson, a person experiencing homelessness.

Eric Hanson has been experiencing homelessness for five years, most recently in the Salt Lake Valley.

“McDonalds is two blocks down on the left, Mavericks is just two blocks down,” Hanson said.

Nomad Alliance advocates for vulnerable people in northern Utah.

“A lot of people are not asking this population what they want, how they want to be housed, where they want to be housed, so we are here to amplify their voices,” said Kseniya Kniazeva, Founder and Director of Nomad Alliance. .

The group is concerned about the possible remote location.

“I don’t think people would do well here. I’ve been on the streets for a few years and I’ve learned a lot about homelessness and where people like to be,” Hanson said.

The Utah Office of Homeless Services sent a statement to FOX 13.

“The Utah Homeless Services Board directed the Office of Homeless Services to identify three potential locations for a centralized 30-acre campus along the Wasatch Front with access to basic infrastructure, transportation and services. The Office of Homeless Services will present site options,” said Utah Office of Homeless Services Spokesperson Sarah Nielson. “By December 15, 2024, with plans for community engagement once a site is selected,” he said.

A few places are considered Nomad Alliance, and a few unprotected people controlled one of these areas.

“5600 South Bacchus Highway. All the way down here, the nearest bus stop is about a two mile walk, there are people using wheelchairs, people walking with canes,” Kniazeva said.

“If there was a good place for homeless people to come, they would be here already,” Hanson said. He explained that there was a shortage of resources in this potential location.

“I don’t see anything here that appeals to me. I get depressed after a while. And I love being outside, but this place isn’t fun blessings,” Hanson said.

The Nomad Alliance emphasized that approved camping sites are what the unsheltered population hopes for.

“First of all, because everyone wants privacy, everyone wants a safe place to sleep, away from prying eyes, people can choose which neighborhood they want to live in, they can choose to integrate into society instead of being relegated to a remote corner of the district,” Kniazeva said.

Hanson doesn’t see himself or others thriving on the edge of the Salt Lake Valley.

“They don’t think about where we are and how many miles that is from anything, that’s ridiculous. I don’t see any logical conclusion coming from that. I don’t see that working in any fashion,” Hanson said.

The Utah Office of Homeless Services said a final decision should be made in January.