Housing affordability and shortage
Housing costs rank among the top three concerns for U.S. adults in 2026 polling, with 62% expressing very high concern. Utah's rapid population growth has made housing affordability a pressing state-level issue, with supply constraints driving up prices in the Wasatch Front and beyond.
What should Utah do to address its housing affordability crisis?
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Sources
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/02/23/state-of-the-union-2026-where-americans-stand-on-key-issues-facing-the-nation
Roughly seven-in-ten adults (71%) say they are very concerned about the cost of health care. Most say the same about the prices of food and consumer goods (66%) and housing (62%).
Utah State Senate Majority — https://senate.utah.gov/issues
Utah's success is built on hard work, freedom and a commitment to the future generations of Utahns. We're building opportunities that endure—strong today, even stronger tomorrow.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Mandate inclusionary zoning, fund affordable housing construction, and enact tenant protections statewide.
- Significantly upzone urban areas and subsidize affordable units to dramatically increase housing supply.
- Reform zoning laws and streamline permitting to encourage private development of more housing stock.
- Focus on reducing regulatory burdens on developers and let market forces determine housing supply and pricing.
- Oppose state-level housing mandates; let local governments and the private market handle housing needs independently.