In our last email, we shared the questions you should ask to discover how Utah’s Housing Gap affects you and your loved ones. The next step is to determine what you can do right now to get involved in your community and help close Utah’s Housing Gap. Here are four simple ways you can make a positive impact to close Utah’s Housing Gap.
#1 Get involved early to provide your input
Now is the best time to get involved with the Housing Gap Coalition. Utah’s population is growing at a faster rate than the amount of available housing units. This housing shortfall is expected to continue over the years, all while our population is predicted to double by 2050. An easy way to be a part of the solution is by getting involved in your community’s local planning. Encourage your elected officials to adopt zoning policies that promote smart growth and support housing for people of all ages and life stages.
#2 Educate your friends and family on the Housing Gap
Did you know that 82 percent of Utahns desire well-planned communities that are walkable, close to transit, have short commute times and a variety of housing options? In order to live in this type of neighborhood, there must be affordable options available. That is why it’s so important to work together to understand the Housing Gap. Tell your friends and family about Utah’s Housing Gap and debunk the various myths about our growth by watching our YouTube series on common Housing Gap myths.
According to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, many Utahns think communities favor residential single-family housing over multi-family, mixed-use housing, however, areas like the Point of the Mountain are building more multi-family homes than single-family homes. Another common misunderstanding is that multi-family apartments and high-density housing projects lower the value of single-family homes in the same neighborhood. In reality, communities with multi-family housing options have higher home values on average than other communities, according to Trulia.
#3 Start supporting smart growth now
While some growing pains are inevitable, there are specific actions you can take today to help lessen the pain. For example, to mitigate traffic congestion, implement TravelWise strategies to reduce traffic on our roads. When you choose to telework or take transit, you are not only removing cars from the road, but also improving mobility and air quality for everyone.
#4 Take the social pledge
Finally, show your support for closing the Housing Gap with smart growth by taking our social pledge. It’s as easy as sharing our Facebook and Twitter posts on your social media profile. Click here to share the Facebook post and here to share the Twitter post. Your support is invaluable as we work to close the Housing Gap together.
Thank you for signing up for our email series on Utah’s Housing Gap. Stay tuned for future information about our housing market and how it affects you.
