Housing

Appraising Utah’s Homeownership Approaches

Written by: Shawn Teigen

Today’s Utah housing market looks very different than it did 10 years ago. In the past, organizations have helped first-time and other homebuyers through education, financing, and down payment assistance. This report examines each of these program types and the valuable support for prospective homeowners that is currently available. However, in Utah’s current market, programs that modestly lower monthly payments or modestly increase savings are unlikely to meaningfully expand homeownership on their own. That takes … Continued

Snapshot: The Who and How of Rental Assistance in Utah

Written by: Ashley Marshall

When thinking about rental assistance, “affordable” means housing expenses do not exceed 30% of a household’s income. If a family is paying more than 30% of their income on housing, they are considered “cost burdened.” And if a family is paying more than 50% of their income on housing, they are considered “severely cost burdened.” Approximately 48% of Utah’s renters are cost-burdened, and 20% are severely cost-burdened. This burden implies the need to support some … Continued

Housing Affordability: 2024 Utah Priorities Project

Written by: John Salevurakis

The perceived significance of Utah’s housing affordability problem has been growing over time. Prior to 2018, it was never among the Utah Priorities Project’s top 10 issues. It hit 2nd place in 2020, prior to the pandemic, but dropped in significance as COVID spread. In 2024, housing affordability has become the most important issue. This brief highlights how demographic factors relate to housing preferences and shows price trends. Housing Ranking and Demographic Influence In 2024, … Continued

An Appetite for Housing Affordability: Insights from Utah’s Municipal Officials

Written by: John Salevurakis

The Utah Foundation’s vision is to encourage “Empowered civic engagement as the foundation for enhanced quality of life in Utah.” To accomplish this, its mission is to “Inform and engage with illuminating, independent, nonpartisan public policy research.” Given that housing was the top issue for voters in the 2024 Utah Priorities Project, there is perhaps no better topic on which to inform and engage Utahns. In broader response to this concern about housing, many in … Continued

Priced Out and Fed Up: Cost of Living and Government Dysfunction are Voters’ Top Issues – 2024 Utah Priorities Project

Written by: Christopher Collard

Each November, Utahns have a chance to shape government to fit their needs. Ideally, the voters’ voices serve as a compass to correct the course of government and shape society. However, information gaps can preclude an ideal outcome. First, politicians and policymakers need to understand Utahns’ priorities. Second, voters need relevant background on the issues that matter most. The Utah Foundation’s Utah Priority Project seeks to fill those information gaps and provide that background. Priced … Continued

Moving Utahns Toward Homeownership: Benefits, Rates, Affordability, and Obstacles

Written by: John Salevurakis

The American Dream is deeply embedded in the identity and ethos of the United States. At its core is the belief that anyone – regardless of their background – can achieve success, upward mobility, and a better life through hard work, determination, and opportunity. Homeownership is both a symbol of achieving the American Dream and a way it is achieved. Policymakers are increasingly focused on housing as it has become a significant issue for voters … Continued

Brick by Brick: Methods of Stabilizing Utah’s Construction Sector

Written by: John Salevurakis

The construction and construction materials supply industries both play a substantial role in Utah’s economy with the latter specifically constituting roughly 1% of Utah’s GDP while being composed of 345 firms and employing roughly 4,569 people in the state. This group of firms supports the overall construction industry which makes up 7% of the state’s economy. In light of the importance of the construction materials supply industry and its impact upon construction and the overall … Continued

Filling in the Blanks: How Utah Communities Can Deploy Infill Development to Advance Quality of Life

Written by: Peter Reichard

Filling in the Blanks: How Utah Communities Can Deploy Infill Development to Advance Quality of Life, addresses the development of vacant or underutilized land within existing communities. It examines trends, the potential benefits of additional infill, obstacles standing in the way, and policy options to support infill development.   KEY FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY Multiple factors are now converging in Utah to make infill more imperative, including rapid growth, rising housing costs and changing residential … Continued

To a Higher Standard: Building Codes, Improved Efficiency and Air Quality in Utah

Written by: Shawn Teigen

Utah has kept up to date on commercial building code standards, but it has maintained older residential building standards that fall short of more efficient building practices. To a Higher Standard: Building Codes, Improved Efficiency and Air Quality in Utah explores possible new standards with an eye toward air quality, examining costs and benefits. Would you like a quicker review of the report? Read the executive summary.   KEY FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT Driven by … Continued

Middle Housing Study Executive Summary

Written by: Shawn Teigen

MIDDLE HOUSING STUDY Check out the other sections of the Middle Housing Study. Links will become live as reports are published Executive summary Part I: The Scope of the Challenge Part II: What is the Middle Housing, and Where is It? Part III: Utahns’ Development Preferences Part IV: Obstacles and Opportunities Middle Housing Project Page “Missing middle housing” refers to housing that occupies the “middle” ground between large-lot, single-family homes and large apartment complexes. It … Continued