Gov. Spencer Cox requested $228 million to help fund affordable housing in Utah this year, yet the Legislature’s budget committee only recommended $55 million. While this funding will allow for much-needed investment in housing the homeless, the Legislature failed to either address the rising cost of rent or increase wages to combat those rising costs.
As a public health graduate student, I understand the importance of examining how policies and public health outcomes intersect. Utah has claimed a spot in the top 8 of America’s Health Rankings since 1990. Because of inflation, Utah’s skyrocketing rental prices, and a lack of policy solutions in sight, the state’s top health ranking may fall with significant implications to our public health.
Lawmakers prioritized a tax cut this legislative session, which does not address the root cause of these issues. While getting food on the table is critical, tax cuts ignore other contributing factors. When individuals are forced to choose between paying their monthly rent or paying for additional essential living costs, there are profound health implications. People are less likely to access preventative care, face adverse mental health impacts, and have the inability to manage existing chronic health conditions. Rising rent prices make paying for necessary medications, transportation to and from appointments, and insurance co-pays extremely difficult for low-income households.
Housing is a social determinant of health and wellbeing, and it is past time for the Legislature to do better, act, and implement policy solutions to protect Utahns. The price of renting in Salt Lake City-County alone increased by more than 10% last year. With one in three Utahns currently renting, lawmakers must recognize the interlacing impacts iterated in this issue.
Ellisa Dockstader, Brighton, Mass.
