Enrolled Copy H.C.R. 14
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House Concurrent Resolution Supporting Streamlining Utah Housing Policies
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Stephen L. Whyte
Senate Sponsor: Lincoln Fillmore
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This resolution supports streamlining housing policies.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This resolution:
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▸ supports streamlining housing policies;
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▸ recognizes the housing attainability crisis in Utah and the need for efficient state efforts;
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and
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▸ supports beginning to identify programs and funding to consolidate during the 2025
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interim.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
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WHEREAS, Utah's economy is consistently ranked among the best in the nation;
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WHEREAS, Utah is currently experiencing unprecedented population growth;
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WHEREAS, the population growth increasing the demand for housing, combined with a
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decreasing supply of homes for sale and high interest rates, is causing an attainable
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homeownership shortage;
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WHEREAS, the Office of the Legislative Auditor General published a housing policy audit
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(audit) in November 2023;
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WHEREAS, the audit made recommendations on how to improve the housing crisis
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through state-wide goals, incentives, and penalties for noncompliance;
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WHEREAS, addressing the attainable homeownership crisis is a top policy priority for H.C.R. 14 Enrolled Copy
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leaders across the state;
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WHEREAS, the Governor is committed to building 35,000 starter homes in Utah in four
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years to address the ongoing issue;
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WHEREAS, the Legislature is dedicated to addressing the housing shortage and passing
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new housing-related policies every session;
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WHEREAS, legislative efforts are spread throughout the state code, making housing the
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responsibility of a multitude of departments within the state government, such as:
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•the Moderate Income Housing Plan, which is the responsibility of municipalities and
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counties;
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•the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone and First Home Investment Zone, which are
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the responsibility of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity;
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•the Commission on Housing Affordability, which is supported by the Division of
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Housing and Community Development under the Department of Workforce Services; and
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•the First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program, which is administered by the Utah
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Housing Corporation;
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WHEREAS, new efforts are combined with existing programs including the Olene Walker
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Housing Loan Fund and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, among others;
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WHEREAS, to meet the state's goals, implement recommendations of the audit, create
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government efficiency, and reduce duplication of services and confusion, the housing-related
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policy efforts should be combined;
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WHEREAS, streamlining housing efforts reduces confusion for political subdivisions, state
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government, and stakeholders; and
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WHEREAS, streamlining housing-related policies will be a multi-year process and will
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require careful planning in regard to programs, funding, and staffing and the process should
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not be delayed:
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
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Governor concurring therein, supports consolidating housing policies to more efficiently and
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effectively address the attainable homeownership shortage, implement recommendations from
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the 2023 housing policy audit, reduce redundancy, and streamline government.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor will involve
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stakeholders in the process of identifying programs to consolidate.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor commit to begin the
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process of identifying programs for streamlining during the 2025 interim.
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