Republican leaders promised action this year to address the affordable housing crisis, fueled by the state's persistent housing shortage and exacerbated to extraordinary levels by the pandemic housing frenzy.
SALT LAKE CITY — Before the Utah Legislature's 2023 general session began, Republican leaders promised action this year to address the affordable housing crisis, fueled by the state'sSure enough, there's been no shortage of bills grappling with housing issues this year, taking on everything from first-time homebuyer assistance to policy changes meant to break down regulatory barriers for housing development.
There have been some cases of upset local officials — take what happened with Summit County — a state lawmaker accused the county of violating state law for not adopting a housing and transit reinvestment zone at Kimball Junction. Also, the Utah League of Cities and Towns opposed a late-filed bill that would allow developers to create their own districts to finance infrastructure projects.
As of Wednesday, the three bills were still waiting for final votes, though they're expected to advance to Gov. Spencer Cox by Friday at midnight. While it remains to be seen how much of an impact the new funding and policy changes will have on Utah's affordability crisis, housing advocates are expressing gratitude that lawmakers are putting their money where their mouth is and prioritizing the issue in a way they haven't before.
"Housing definitely has been in the limelight," she said. "It's been exciting to see people starting to really understand the importance of people being stable in their housing."It's no secret that legislative leaders have ties to the housing development community. For example, both Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, have worked in real estate.
Fillmore said "neither I nor the Legislature has the power to just will that to happen. But we can craft good policies that strike a right balance that protect property rights, that protect the public's right to have a say."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Utah father investigated for child abuse weeks before murder-suicideThe Deseret News obtained nearly 50 pages of records from the Utah Division of Child and Family Services after a public records request that was originally denied. The records detail several years of investigations and interactions with the Haight family.
Read more »
Jan. 6 defendants at CPAC say Republican leaders have forgotten themDemonstrators who were arrested and charged for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, claimed a spot at the Conservative Political Action Conference and railed against federal prosecutors, Republican lawmakers and CPAC itself for mistreating them.
Read more »
Utah bill to close abortion clinics passes LegislatureThe Utah Legislature on Friday gave final approval to a bill aimed at further limiting abortions in the state by banning elective abortion clinics after May 2.
Read more »
Missing Idaho FLDS teen may have fled to Utah, police sayIdaho law enforcement have released a new photo of a runaway FLDS teen who they say may have gone to southern Utah.
Read more »
Black investors announce historic deal with Utah bankIf the deal gets federal regulatory approval, it would become the only Black-owned bank in the Intermountain West.
Read more »
Will Utah remove income tax restrictions, cut sales tax on food?Utah voters will decide whether to remove restrictions on the uses of income tax under a resolution passed by state lawmakers on Friday.
Read more »