Utahns appear to agree with Gov. Spencer Cox’s mantra that we must build, new research found.

More than 2/3 of about 600 Utah adults surveyed at the end of last year agreed the state is in a “major” housing crisis or at least facing serious challenges.

Though Utahns surveyed by Envision Utah and Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy disagreed on what caused the crisis, they were more likely to agree the solution is building more housing.

Ari Bruening, CEO of Envision Utah, said housing is the “greatest worry about life in Utah.” The group is nearly two decades old and focuses on growth-related challenges.

“Most Utahns realize this is one problem we can build our way out of,” Bruening said, “they just want us to do it in a well-planned way that doesn’t threaten other aspects of our quality of life.”

Utah will be 153,000 units short in five years

Utah faces a massive housing shortage compounded by high interest rates and a lag in construction. Projections show the state will be 153,000 housing units short of demand by 2030.

Respondents to the survey rated possible reasons from one to seven based on how much each has contributed to the crisis. The top reasons were:

• 67% cited interest rates

• 58% pointed to construction costs

• 57% blamed greed by landlords and developers

• 53% said too many people are moving to Utah

• 35% faulted the lack of housing supply

Though Utahns could not agree on what caused the housing crisis, a slight majority agreed the path out — 53% said the state needs to “build more homes and increase the overall number and availability of homes and apartments.” But another 21% disagreed with that solution, and 26% were neutral.

The survey also found people worry most about low-income individuals and families, first-time homebuyers, young families and community workers like librarians and firefighters.

And why is Utah is growing? In agreement, respondents said Utah is an attractive place to live and officials need to manage growth responsibly so additional housing doesn’t lead to more traffic, crime or overuse of public services.

A push for more housing supply

Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy, a group focused on increasing affordable housing options for middle-income workers, launched the campaign “Demand More Supply” in December.

The public awareness campaign highlights the connection between housing shortages and rising costs and advocates for the state to build its way out of the crisis.

Steve Waldrip, Cox’s senior advisor for housing strategy and an executive board member with Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy, said the state has to add housing supply to make sure the American Dream is still an option for Utahns.

“That’s why our campaign is focused on raising awareness of the core problem of high home prices — not enough supply,” Waldrip said in a statement.

Cox already is championing efforts to increase the housing supply. The governor wants to add 35,000 starter houses within five years, a push aimed at making homes more affordable for young families and a workforce squeezed by the high cost of living.

“Demand More Supply” also calls for proven solutions, including zoning reforms, public-private partnerships, incentives and cutting what they call red tape.

Solutions targeted by the Legislature

Lawmakers have proposed bills that would do some of those things.

One bill would make building accessory dwelling units and modular homes easier.

Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, is proposing HB88, which would require cities in the first- and second-class counties of Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington and Weber to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, on lots with detached, single-family homes and modular units in residential zones.

Ward also has proposed legislation that would allow housing in commercial zones.

SB152 from Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Salt Lake, would prohibit local officials from requiring a garage on one- and two-family homes.

Construction material costs have skyrocketed in recent years, with the price for some materials growing by more than 70% between 2020 and 2024, according to the National Association of Home Builders, meaning garageless homes are less expensive to build — and buy.

Another bill, HB37, would create an optional overlay tool for cities to provide a density bonus in exchange for affordable, owner-occupied units.

That legislation, from Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, also aims to improve data collection about housing, zoning, development, and infrastructure and would require the creation of regional plans around housing by next summer.

Other bills would:

• Lower the damages a jury or court can award in an eviction case from treble damages — triple the daily rent from the expiration of the initial eviction notice until the tenant leaves the rental unit — to actual damages.

• Make changes to existing programs that let local governments use tax increment financing — or TIF, which is tax revenue beyond an established base in a given area — to support development and infrastructure.

• Add language to state law clarifying who can buy a single-family home in Utah.

• Set a required notice period for rent increases.

• Make it easier for local governments to regulate and tax short-term rentals.

• Bolster the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund with state liquor revenues.