Listen to this article
The residence is the first new Silvercrest to open since 2006.
A new Salvation Army Silvercrest Residence has opened in Ogden, Utah—the first to debut in nearly two decades. The 52-unit community now provides affordable housing for low-income older adults, with residents beginning to move in late October before the official dedication in early November 2025.
The dedication ceremony included a message from Territorial Commander Commissioner Douglas Riley and a performance by The Salvation Army’s Intermountain Divisional Band. Around 70 community members attended the ceremony, including state and city officials and architectural, development and construction partners.
“It was one of those things where you realize the Army’s bigger than just a food bank or Silvercrest or whatever services they’re offering—it’s bigger,” said Jason Piecuch, the Ogden Silvercrest Property Manager.
“A lot of people were there to celebrate working together to make this Silvercrest possible,” added Susan Lawrence, Executive Director of Silvercrest Management for The Salvation Army Western Territory.
The opening of the Silvercrest comes after the older adult population (age 65 and older) in Utah grew 53 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Prospective tenants can apply to live at the Silvercrest if they are 62 or older and at 30-50 percent of median income levels. Those selected will pay 30 percent of their income for rent, with the remainder covered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“This is home—not just low-income housing—home.”
Jason Piecuch, Ogden Silvercrest Property Manager
“So many of our seniors just cannot afford the rent nowadays, and this program provides an opportunity for residents to have a beautiful home,” Lawrence said. “This provides them an opportunity to live independently.”
So far, 25 tenants have moved into their apartments, and management has been steadily receiving applications for the remaining units. They expect a waitlist to start forming within the next month.
“It’s just a new start for everybody here,” Piecuch said. “In some cases, residents were just overwhelmed with gratitude. Some were a little more stoic…but some people are just crying. They’re very, very pleased that they get to move in here.”
Ogden was selected to be the site of the new Silvercrest Residence after The Salvation Army Ogden Corps advocated for it. When HUD gave a notice of funding availability, Salvation Army territorial leadership prompted divisions for interest. The Ogden Corps Advisory Board responded with a proposed site on an underused lot owned by the corps.
“We analyzed the location to see if it would meet the parameters required by HUD—and it did,” Lawrence said.
From there, Lawrence brought in consultants to assess the site and help secure additional funding, including the State of Utah’s Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund ($2 million) and Deeply Affordable Housing Fund ($2 million), as well as HUD ($3 million).
Each unit is about 600 square feet, fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-adaptable, and includes one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room—along with new appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves. The building will soon also include amenities like a community room, exercise room and community garden boxes. Residents will have on-site property management and maintenance.
“This is home—not just low-income housing—home,” Piecuch said. “Seniors can stay here and be near family or friends or the place where they grew up. They don’t have to up and move across state lines. They’re home in their hometown.”
Hiring for additional social work and service coordination staff is underway to develop programming for residents. The neighboring Ogden Corps has already committed to hosting bingo twice a month to start. There’s also already a women’s Bible study group in place on Wednesday evenings.
“We’ll just have to kind of see what the residents want and need,” Lawrence said. “We’ve already had some residents ask if they can be part of an activities committee, so it’s really going to be dependent on what people want.”
Piecuch said the community has responded well to the new Silvercrest Residence, with many expressing their excitement as the building went up.
“I am just overwhelmed,” Piecuch said. “It was something that was urgently needed here.”
He’s excited for the lasting impact this Silvercrest will have on the community.
“I hope it continues to expand,” Piecuch said, “and I hope it continues to serve seniors for decades to come.”
Do Good:
- Join us in giving joy to families who are experiencing poverty, hunger, job loss and more. Your generosity offers joyful reassurance that even during our most challenging times, we are not alone.
- What if five minutes a day could re-center your family on the reason we celebrate? Meet the free Caring Advent Paper Chain—25 days to Read, Reflect and Pray. Refreshed for 2025!
Download this page as a PDF
