Overview
Moderate income housing refers to housing that is affordable to individuals and families whose incomes exceed the limits for traditional affordable housing assistance but are still insufficient to comfortably afford prevailing market-rate housing. As housing costs continue to outpace wage growth in many communities, providing a variety of moderate income housing options has become an increasingly important planning objective for local governments.
In Utah, moderate income housing is defined in §10-20-102 (municipalities) and §17-79-102 (counties) of Utah State Code (as amended) as housing occupied or reserved for occupancy by households with a gross household income equal to or less than 80% of the median gross household income for households of the same size in the county in which the municipality or county is located.
Housing affordability has become one of Utah’s most significant land use and economic challenges. Over the past several decades, home prices have increased dramatically while housing production has struggled to keep pace with population growth. According to data from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, the median sales price of a single-family home in Utah increased by approximately 565% between 1991 and 2023, making homeownership increasingly difficult for many working households.
Numerous factors have contributed to rising housing costs, including sustained population growth, limited housing supply, rising construction costs, higher interest rates, labor shortages, and increased demand in many of Utah’s communities. As a result, many teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, service industry employees, young professionals, and other members of the workforce often find themselves priced out of the communities in which they work.
Recognizing these challenges, the State Legislature has adopted a variety of statutes encouraging municipalities and counties to evaluate strategies that increase housing opportunities while respecting local planning goals. This course explores several of the planning tools, housing types, and land use strategies communities may consider when addressing moderate income housing needs while balancing infrastructure capacity, neighborhood character, and long-term community objectives.
Content Contributors: Jones and DeMille Engineering, Inc, Hansen Planning Group, LLC / Rural Community Consultants
Special Note: This material was developed by civiclinQ for the Land Use Academy of Utah (LUAU). Funding for the development of this material was provided by through the Land Use Training Fund, which is administered by the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman , utilizing a portion of the 1% surcharge on all building permits in the State of Utah.
The role of this organization in administering funding is primarily administrative and should not be viewed as legal advice. Always consult your legal representative when addressing land use activities.
Use the ‘Materials’ tab above to view related course materials, including printable pass-along card and PDF version of this online course.
