New public-housing complex may allow convicted killers

As it works to end chronic homelessness, the Salt Lake City Housing Authority is considering a policy that would allow convicted murderers to live in public housing.

It's a notion that's giving pause to many, including the authority's executive director, who is leery but is trying to keep an open mind.

"Our minds are open right now," Rosemary Kappes said. "But I err on the conservative side. The jury's out on that for me."

In its annual report to the Salt Lake City Council, Kappes told council members that the yet-to-be built, 100-unit Sunrise apartment complex could have convicted murders living there — but noted convicted rapists, child molesters and probably meth users would not be allowed.

Kappes said she has communicated with the officials at the Utah Department of Corrections, who note that certain classes of killers — such as those convicted of crimes of passion — actually turn out to be model parolees with little chance of re-offending.

"People that have been in the prison system, a lot of them, have served their time and come back out as model citizens," she said.

While the list of who is in and who is out is still under negotiation, Kappes said, "Sunrise will be more relaxed than anything we own."

Other housing authority properties have strict rules about who can live there and who can't. The rules are in place to keep out undesirable elements, like drug abuse and crime, that often plague public housing.

But Sunrise, which is slated to open in 2007 on 600 South at 542 West, will be a bit different. The apartments are designed to be permanent housing for the chronically homeless. The apartments will have video cameras in all the halls, and entry to the complex will be strictly monitored. Also, service providers for the homeless will have offices at the complex to help take care of problems that might arise.

Traditionally, homeless individuals looking to get off the streets have to go through some rehab and other hoops before they can qualify for housing. But new programs in other states that allow the chronically homeless to get into housing before getting cleaned up have proven to be effective.

The housing authority and homeless service providers expect to establish a list of people who can't live in Sunrise and then make exceptions on an individual basis.

"It may come to dealing with it on a case-by-case basis," said the housing authority's Bill Nyswonger, who directs development and homeless programs. "We certainly have to be equitable about that."

And there is the concern that people who have been convicted of a crime that disqualifies them will have fewer options to climb out of their homeless status.

Matt Minkevitch, executive director of the Road Home, said certain groups may just have to find options outside the public sector.

"We'll work with the housing authority to identify those crimes that will prevent placement in those units and those offenses that would not prevent placement," he said.

Ultimately, whom to let in and whom to leave out has to be "based on a foundation of common sense," he said.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com