Housing is essential, but is it enough to create lasting change for people experiencing chronic homelessness? In this episode, Rob Harter speaks with Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village in Salt Lake City, Utah, about the nonprofit’s human-centered approach to homelessness. Rather than treating residents as clients or case numbers, the organization creates a supportive community where people can rebuild relationships, rediscover purpose, develop practical skills, and take responsibility for their futures.
Preston explains how The Other Side Village combines permanent housing with peer mentorship, meaningful work, recovery support, social enterprise, and a democratic therapeutic community. He also discusses the need to balance compassion with accountability, why lived experience is central to the organization’s coaching model, and how the village measures long-term success through housing stability, self-reliance, sobriety, and crime-free living.
Key Topics Include:
- Why housing alone may not address the isolation, trauma, addiction, mental health challenges, and broken relationships connected to chronic homelessness
- How a human-centered model helps residents move beyond short-term stabilization toward lasting transformation
- The importance of balancing compassion and accountability when serving people experiencing homelessness
- How coaches with lived experience provide credible peer support, mentorship, and encouragement
- Why residents are called neighbors and participate in a democratic therapeutic community
- How social enterprises provide employment, workforce training, purpose, and sustainable revenue
- The four outcomes The Other Side Village uses to measure success: permanent housing, employment or self-reliance, drug-free living, and crime-free living
Mentioned in This Episode:
- Learn more about The Other Side Village
- Connect with Preston Cochrane on LinkedIn
- Learn more about The Other Side Academy
- Visit The Other Side Donuts
- Learn more about the National League of Cities
This Episode is Sponsored By:
Links to Resources:
- Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com
- Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel
- Suggestions for the show? Email us at nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com
- Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at rob@robharter.com
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