Salt Lake City native Derek Hough, world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and television host, has made headlines nationwide after donating his entire $12.9 million bonus and sponsorship earnings to build a series of homeless support centers in his hometown.
This unprecedented gesture will fund the creation of 150 permanent housing units and 300 emergency shelter beds, offering hope and relief to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Derek Hough Donates $12.9 Million to Build Homeless Support Centers in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is set to see a major boost in its fight against homelessness thanks to an extraordinary act of generosity by professional dancer and TV personality Derek Hough. The Dancing with the Stars judge has announced a $12.9 million donation to fund the construction of new homeless support centers across the city.
According to local officials, the centers will provide more than just emergency shelter. They are being designed as comprehensive support hubs, offering medical care, job training, counseling, addiction recovery programs, and pathways to permanent housing.
Hough, who grew up in Utah, said his decision to give back was motivated by both personal connection and a sense of responsibility to his hometown. “Salt Lake City gave me so much growing up. Now it’s my turn to give back and help those who need it most. No one should be left without hope or shelter,” Hough said in a statement.
Impact of the Donation
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The $12.9 million will be used to renovate existing facilities and build new ones.
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Each center will have dedicated outreach teams to connect individuals with long-term solutions.
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City leaders estimate that the new infrastructure could directly serve thousands of people each year.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall praised the move, calling it “a transformative gift that will save lives and change the trajectory of homelessness in our city.”
Advocates say Hough’s contribution highlights the importance of private-public partnerships in addressing homelessness — a crisis affecting not just Utah but cities across the nation.
For Derek Hough, the donation is more than a headline — it’s a statement of commitment to his roots and a vision for a future where compassion drives change.