Utah’s housing crisis is a topic of concern as local control over land use regulations is being eroded by state legislation. Despite decades of planning efforts by city planning commissions and councils, Utah has gone from being one of the most affordable states to the least affordable. The quality of life index has also dropped significantly due to home affordability issues.
A Legislative Auditor General report recommended increasing zoning density to meet state-wide housing goals, consolidating land-use authority in the hands of state legislators with financial ties to the developer industry. However, the report failed to acknowledge the role of market forces and developers in the housing shortage.
The State Legislature is considering SB337, which would give state agencies total land-use authority in certain areas without local government consent, further eroding local control.
To address the housing crisis, the State Legislature should prioritize infrastructure investments, collaborate with federal partners, address unfair corporate advantages in home buying, and focus on policies to prioritize owner-occupied housing. It is crucial for Utahns to advocate for local control over state mandates to ensure a collaborative approach to solving the housing crisis.
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