News
January 21, 2025

Utah Lawmakers Partner with Cities on Affordable Housing

Caroline Raffetto

SALT LAKE CITY — Addressing Utah's growing housing needs, state leaders plan to prioritize affordable housing during the upcoming legislative session.

Gov. Spencer Cox has emphasized the need for more starter homes across the state, while Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz highlighted ongoing collaborations between the Legislature and local cities to find solutions.

Cameron Diehl, Executive Director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, emphasized the broader context of housing issues, stating, “Residents care about the quality of life today and tomorrow. 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.”

Infrastructure limitations have previously hindered housing development in cities. “We’re talking about water tanks. We’re talking about roads, we’re talking about pipes. That gets back to… quality of life,” Diehl explained.

To address these challenges, the League has collaborated with the Legislature to create solutions, including tax increment financing and infrastructure districts, which were introduced through legislation last year.

The Utah League of Cities and Towns has a focused approach to legislation, assessing whether bills respect local government roles, account for individual city needs rather than a “one-size-fits-all” model, and avoid imposing unfunded or impractical mandates.

With these collaborative efforts, Utah aims to strike a balance between developing affordable housing and maintaining the quality of life for its residents.

News
January 21, 2025

Utah Lawmakers Partner with Cities on Affordable Housing

Caroline Raffetto
Construction Industry
Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Addressing Utah's growing housing needs, state leaders plan to prioritize affordable housing during the upcoming legislative session.

Gov. Spencer Cox has emphasized the need for more starter homes across the state, while Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz highlighted ongoing collaborations between the Legislature and local cities to find solutions.

Cameron Diehl, Executive Director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, emphasized the broader context of housing issues, stating, “Residents care about the quality of life today and tomorrow. 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.”

Infrastructure limitations have previously hindered housing development in cities. “We’re talking about water tanks. We’re talking about roads, we’re talking about pipes. That gets back to… quality of life,” Diehl explained.

To address these challenges, the League has collaborated with the Legislature to create solutions, including tax increment financing and infrastructure districts, which were introduced through legislation last year.

The Utah League of Cities and Towns has a focused approach to legislation, assessing whether bills respect local government roles, account for individual city needs rather than a “one-size-fits-all” model, and avoid imposing unfunded or impractical mandates.

With these collaborative efforts, Utah aims to strike a balance between developing affordable housing and maintaining the quality of life for its residents.