Utah state lawmakers are considering options to push cities to create more zoning for multifamily housing to help alleviate the statewide problem of lack of affordable housing.
Charging fees to cities who don't have enough affordable housing is among the ideas.
If people don't make enough money to afford a home and other necessities, they become at risk of homelessness, increasing the burden on a network of nonprofit and public groups hoping to get people off the streets. But by all accounts, there is far more need than the safety net can handle.
So Utah lawmakers are hoping the state can nudge cities to either embrace more low-income housing or help pay for cities hosting a shelter.
