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.
Where do you stand?
What should Utah do to address its housing affordability crisis?
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
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.