First steps are often the hardest, but they also mark the beginning of meaningful change. KIER Construction was honored to partner with First Step House as the general contractor for the development of its Salt Lake City campus, a multi-phase effort dedicated to providing treatment, transitional support, and permanent housing for individuals overcoming substance use disorders and homelessness.

The campus was delivered in three stages. Stage One began with the redevelopment of First Step House at 426 South 500 East, where KIER renovated a former one-story office building and added a new two-story entrance facing 500 East. Located near TRAX and Smith’s Marketplace, the facility now serves adult men through residential and outpatient substance use and behavioral health treatment, along with transitional and permanent housing support. The completed facility provides 50 beds, including 32 treatment beds and 18 dormitory-style transitional housing beds, with private rooms and shared kitchen, dining, and bathroom spaces.

Stage Two expanded the campus with the 5th East Apartments, a 75-unit permanent supportive housing development designed to serve individuals experiencing homelessness. The project consists entirely of one-bedroom units, with eight units dedicated to residents with mental illness. This phase represents a critical step in addressing homelessness in Salt Lake City through long-term, supportive housing solutions.

Stage Three, the 426 Apartments, completed the First Step House block on 5th East by adding 40 additional housing units, further strengthening the continuum of care and housing support offered on the campus.

Together, these three phases reflect First Step House’s mission to help individuals build lives of meaning, purpose, and recovery. KIER Construction is proud to have delivered each stage of this impactful campus and to contribute to a project that provides lasting benefit to the Salt Lake City community.