City Cast Madison logo
March 8, 2026

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

City Cast Madison

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

00:00:00
View all City Cast Madison episodes

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like Madison 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 Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

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

Latest Episodes

See all
September 15

Inside YWCA Madison’s 2026 Racial Justice Summit

This October marks the 25th year of the YWCA Madison Racial Justice Summit. Ahead of the two-day conference, City Cast Madison host Bianc...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 14

WI Attorney General on Meta Payout, PFAS Settlement, and Ruiz Investigation

Wisconsin is set to receive at least $219 million from Meta as part of a multi-state settlement over allegations the social media company...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 13

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Madison

It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Madison, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizz...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 11

AI Art Letter Explained, City Council Rejects Relief Fund, and Badger Applications Double

The controversy over an AI-driven sculpture coming to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art continues: in an open letter with hundreds o...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 10

Train Your Mind To Be IRONMAN Strong

IRONMAN Wisconsin⁠⁠ is coming to Madison this weekend. Expect closed streets and super fit Madison visitors! For those of us who aren’t t...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 9

State Climatologist on Wisconsin's Wild Weather & Climate Change

A new United Nations report says global warming has hit the point of no return and is set to consistently exceed the 1.5°C benchmark set...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 8

MMoCA Director on AI Art, and New Exhibits at Remodeled Chazen

An upcoming art installation at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art has sparked some controversy due to its use of AI. On today’s podc...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 6

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Nashville Is Beating Flock — Presented By City Cast Madison

Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Madison? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measure...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 4

AI Art Sparks Backlash, Finance Committee Rejects More Police Monitor Funding, and New MSN Direct Flights

This week, the Madison Finance Committee voted unanimously to deny additional funding for the Office of the Independent Police Monitor. T...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
September 3

Halal Week, How To Spend $3 Billion, and Retiring in Madison

Madison’s first Halal Restaurant Week starts Friday, and eight local restaurants are adapting their menus to be more inclusive of Muslim...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art