Utah lawmakers seek collaboration with cities to create affordable housing

SALT LAKE CITY — State leaders want to prioritize housing in Utah during the upcoming legislative session. 

Gov. Spencer Cox has previously said he wants to build more starter homes across the state.

And, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said that the Legislature has been working with cities to find a way forward.

 

Executive Director of Utah League of Cities and Towns Cameron Diehl said the issue isn’t just about housing.

“Residents care about the quality of life today and tomorrow,” Diehl told Dave & Dujanovic. “And cities are responsible for the planning and the zoning and infrastructure and the nuts and bolts of government that ensure that quality of life.”

In the past, cities have been unable to move forward with building new housing because of a lack of infrastructure. 

“We’re talking about water tanks. We’re talking about roads, we’re talking about pipes. That gets back to… quality of life.”

Diehl said the League has worked with the Legislature to find ways to overcome those hurdles.

Last year, cities worked with lawmakers on several bills to finance infrastructure in several ways, like tax increment financing and infrastructure districts.

The Utah League of Cities and Towns website outlines three ways it approaches legislation.

The League looks at whether a bill respects the role of local government, considers cities on an individual level rather than through a “one-size-fits-all” approach and whether the bill will create “an unfunded or unworkable mandate.”

Related:

• Salt Lake City calls for help to solve ‘brokenness’ in crime, homeless services
• Just how hot is Salt Lake’s housing market?

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