Building plans call for refurbishing, not razing, the old Holiday Inn at 999 S. Main Street.

But the event was groundbreaking to its organizers because it signifies a change in Utah's strategy for combatting homelessness. The state is moving away from emergency shelters and soup kitchens, which "manage the symptoms" of homelessness, to a permanent housing model that Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. says will "solve" homelessness.

Palmer Court - named after former Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis, who oversees Huntsman's 10-year plan to end homelessness - is the largest of four "supported" housing facilities underway in Salt Lake County. That's a $50 million investment in 400 apartment units, making a small dent in the county's homeless population, which exceeds 10,000 annually.

But it's "400 steps in the right direction," says Matt Minkevitch, director of the Road Home homeless shelter, which will manage Palmer Court.

Unlike transitional housing, which is temporary and requires tenants to be sober and obtain jobs, "supported" housing comes with few strings attached.

Tenants must abide only by society's rules. And they can stay as long as they can pay their share of the rent, which will never exceed 30 percent of their incomes. On site are counselors to help residents find jobs, hook into social welfare programs and treat their addictions and mental illnesses.

With the responsibilities of home ownership will come the drive to achieve more, goes the thinking.

The strategy, promoted by the Bush administration, has been criticized as a bid to sweep the streets of transients and panhandlers with resources that could be used to build affordable homes for working families.

Palmer Court will accommodate families as well as single men and women. But most of the county's supported housing is dedicated to the chronically homeless.

It's a small group, comprising fewer than 15 percent of the homeless population, but consuming more than half the beds at the Road Home. And they rack up time in jail, detox centers and hospital emergency rooms, costly interventions that haven't worked, says Minkevitch.

And as more come on line, Minkevitch sees a time in "the near future" when his shelter will no longer have a waiting list. He says there may come a day when he can shutter the winter overflow shelter in Midvale.

Palmer Court has, so far, avoided "NIMBYism," or "not in my back yard" syndrome, that has crippled projects in other cities, because of its location in a commercial redevelopment zone.

Jody Wilkinson, owner of a neighboring Acura dealership, says he was slow to the embrace the idea, but now believes the apartments will "bring new life" to the once-blighted area.

The $19 million project also has the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which donated $7 million.

The county, city and various banks kicked in some money. And the Road Home has applied for federal tax credits to cover renovation costs.

Rent will be subsidized with rent vouchers.

It's a project that takes "broad-based support," says Huntsman.

"But above all, the political will."

kstewart@sltrib.com