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It’s no secret: Utahns are struggling with housing. I wanted to know how the crisis is affecting your vision for your future — or for Utah’s future. What you said can be broken down into a few categories:
Some fear for future generations.
“My wife and I will be fine, but I worry about our children’s ability to stay in the state.” — Scott, Orem
“We have a severe shortage of supply driving up prices. Our children, grandchildren cannot afford to live here.” — John, Providence
Others are concerned about retirement.
“The cost of housing will delay, or even prevent, my retirement.” — Sandra, North Ogden
“I can’t retire here. I have to move to another state.” — Mary, Park City
And several are worried they’re stuck renting forever.
“I gave up on the idea of owning a home. Even upgrading to a more spacious apartment feels like a risky move considering how high rents have become and the general instability of the economy.” — Peter, Salt Lake City
“I have come to terms with the fact I will probably never own a home in Utah. I am a single woman who was born and raised in Utah. I make roughly $70,000 a year. I plan to leave Utah to afford a home.” — Mary, Salt Lake City
“My husband and I are both working, full-time professionals. We will never be able to afford buying a home for our family of four in reasonable distance from the U, where my husband works. It’s depressing as heck: In our 50′s, paying high rent with no ROI. Upsetting to say the least.” — Nina, Salt Lake City
Some respondents offered potential solutions:
Scott said, “The state is starting to provide programs that offer down payment assistance or favorable mortgage terms to help first-time buyers enter the market, which is great. Additionally, I would like to see the state increase incentives for developers to encourage the construction of new starter homes, such as tax breaks or streamlined permitting processes to reduce delays and costs. Lastly, I would encourage the state and developers to continue to explore the use of prefabricated building components to speed up construction and reduce costs.”
Peter said he’s “lowering my expectations by staying in my current apartment rather than upgrading and investing in non-housing-related things that benefit my life rather than dreaming about buying a home.”
Mary in Salt Lake City said, “Utah needs to focus on not only building low income housing, but also housing for single-income households making less than $100,000 per year.”
Nina said we need “realistic reporting of the actual cost of living here in SLC — many aggregators of cost-of-living data are grossly underestimating the actual cost of housing, utilities, food and clothing — so that businesses can evaluate employee compensation accordingly. It is shocking once you know what U. professors make, for example, because no one can raise a family within 60 miles of the campus on those salaries.”
Share your thoughts on housing affordability in Utah.
Utah Voices
(The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, The New York Times, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food)
The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.
🍎 Education
“Last year, a prominent lobbyist for Utah private schools said she wants to ‘destroy public education’ with vouchers. She is right — that is exactly what would happen should Amendment A pass,” writes Corey Fairholm, president of Utah PTA. Read more.
There’s one thing that “lingers under the surface of this recent uptick in book bans,” writes Noah Baskett, the new director of the Salt Lake City Public Library system. “Fear.” Read more.
🛣️ Labor
“Codifying prevailing wage as the law of the land will reduce outsourcing, protect Utah workers and help build a strong — and desperately needed — Utah workforce,” writes Brandon Dew, district representative of Operating Engineers Local 3. Read more.
🗳️ Politics and voting
“If all the state’s newcomers are able and willing to engage in local and national politics, we can cool our red-hot state to a calmer, purple microcosm of compromise and balance,” writes Josh Wennergren in Salt Lake City. Read more.
“Ballot collection does not lead to voter fraud, but it does provide essential benefits to Native American voters, rural low-income voters, the elderly and students lacking transportation,” write researchers Daniel McCool and Weston McCool. Read more.
🫎 Environment and wildlife
“Not only are Utah’s wildlife management strategies ineffective but they do not reflect Utahns values,” writes Dagny Signorelli with the Western Watersheds Project. Read more.
Utah Lake’s biodiversity “appeared doomed by an explosion of phragmites, a non-native, deep-rooted reed that spreads through wind-blown seeds and rhizomes,” writes Ted Williams, a contributor to Writers on the Range. A controversial herbicide saved it. Read more.
Share Your Perspective
There’s plenty of stress that comes with election season. And, for some of us, differing political views can put strain on personal relationships. I want to hear your perspective: What have you found helpful to depolarize politics among your friends and family? Let me know.
From Bagley’s Desk
Windfall | Pat Bagley
I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.
