While our state has been booming with economic growth and development, a big problem needs our immediate attention — housing prices are going through the roof.
Utah had a historic rise in housing prices, and experts predict that the issue will only get worse within the following year. The rising prices, paired with the overall shortage of affordable units, have left our state’s most vulnerable populations in despair. Low-income households have to decide to either keep a roof over their heads or put food on the table. This is entirely unacceptable.
The housing crisis is not just an economic issue; it’s a human rights issue. Every individual should have the opportunity to live in safe and affordable housing, and our collective responsibility is to address this crisis with urgency and compassion.
To tackle this crisis and ensure Utah stays on the right track, we’ve got to get serious about making housing more affordable. Creating more affordable units is the only way to solve the need for affordable housing. I hope that our state leaders, policymakers and citizens come together to address this pressing issue with the urgency it deserves.
Abril Espinoza
Salt Lake City