Utah

Light-touch density housing could solve Utah's shortage of homes

Published

2 months ago

November 1, 2024

Light-touch density housing could solve Utah's shortage of homes

As we approach Election Day 2024, Utah lawmakers are rightly considering policy reforms to address housing affordability in Utah. According to Sutherland Institute’s voter priority poll from earlier this year, housing affordability is at the top of voters’ list of issues that will influence their vote this year.

As Utah policymakers consider reforms, one stands out for its promise — borne out by the evidence — to significantly address the costs of housing without requiring a dime in taxpayer subsidies: promoting light-touch density (LTD) housing.

A new study released by the American Enterprise Institute’s Housing Center confirms how a modest increase in density can ignite housing abundance and rein in surging home prices.

The Housing Center studied the 230,000+ single-family detached (SFD) homes that were constructed between 2000 and 2023 and found that the median home sat on one-quarter acre. If the median lot size were one-sixth of an acre instead, 145,000 additional homes for families would have been built. With slightly smaller lots and living areas, their price would be about 10% less, thereby improving affordability. The additional supply and price of these new homes would have reduced price pressures more broadly.

If 20% of this SFD land had been used for townhomes instead, the number of new homes built from 2000-2023 would have grown to 476,000 — more than double what was actually built. At the median lot size, these townhomes would have still accommodated family-sized living areas, but they would have sold for about 30% less than a single-family home on a quarter-acre lot. Importantly, all these additional homes would have been provided by the private market, with zero housing subsidies required. This approach to housing is called light-touch density (LTD).

Utahns are rightfully proud of their homeownership rate of 71.2%, which is 12th highest among the states and about seven percentage points above the national average. However, the homeownership rate for homes built from 2010-2021 in Utah was only 66%. Meaningfully, 89% of the extra homes built with LTD would have been owner occupied.

But the past is past. What do we do today? As reported by the Housing Center, in 2023 it was harder for blue-collar workers to buy an entry-level home in Utah than in any other state, including California. In its recent Utah Housing Market Update, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s “projections indicate Utah will grow from 3.5 to 4 million residents between 2024-2033, an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.” This would be nearly double the recent level of new-home construction permits.

As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today. Going forward, pursuing an LTD approach would double the number of single-family homes currently being permitted for construction in Utah — providing 200,000 additional and more affordable homes over 10 years.

Where to start? First, the Utah Legislature should allow small lot development by-right — not requiring discretionary approval from cities — by setting lot size minimums for single-family homes at 5,000 square feet and for townhomes at 1,000 square feet. Second, lawmakers should avoid poison pills like unrealistically low floor area ratios, unrealistically high parking requirements and affordable housing mandates.

But isn’t it wrong to interfere with municipal zoning prerogatives? The answer is no for two reasons.

First, municipalities have largely failed to act, notwithstanding having had decades to address this burgeoning crisis. Second, these legislative actions would promote long-ignored principles of the Utah Constitution. This includes Article 1, Section 1: “All persons have the inherent and inalienable right to acquire, possess and protect property.” It also includes Article 1, Section 27: “Frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is essential to the security of individual rights and the perpetuity of free government.”

In short, these rights are inherent and inalienable to people, not to cities or the state. Framed in this manner, these suggested legislative actions seem both logical and compelling. The LTD approach to housing would be largely unnoticeable to current homeowners due to its modest changes, but its positive impact would eliminate Utah’s housing shortfall and rein in crushingly high home prices. As elected officials consider how to enact that mandate given them by voters this year, promoting light-touch density housing should be high on their priority list.

Edward J. Pinto is senior fellow and co-director at American Enterprise Institute’s Housing Center.

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Utah

Utah State Running Back Transfer Commits To South Carolina Over Florida State

Published

5 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah State Running Back Transfer Commits To South Carolina Over Florida State

Florida State came up short in its pursuit of a top running back transfer.

On Tuesday, Utah State running back transfer Rahsul Faison announced he was committing to South Carolina. Faison chose the Gamecocks over FSU, Alabama, North Carolina, UCLA, and UCF.

The Seminoles hosted Faison for a visit last weekend but he continued to take trips elsewhere. Florida State could very well kick the tires on another transfer during the spring window.

Faison spent two seasons with the Aggies and had a career year in 2024 where he rushed 198 times for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 99 yards. He had five games of 100+ rushing yards, including a season-high 20 carries for 191 yards and a touchdown in a 55-10 victory against Hawaii on November 16. He was named second-team All-Mountain West for his performance last fall.

During his first season at Utah State, Faison rushed 118 times for 736 yards and five touchdowns. In total, he appeared in 25 games, making 13 starts, and totaled 316 carries for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. Faison also caught 33 passes for 151 yards.

The Pennsylvania native signed with Marshall as a two-star prospect in 2019. He ultimately spent that season at the junior college level at Lackawanna College and was with the Thundering Herd in 2020. Faison didn’t appear in a game with either program and elected to go back to the JUCO level with Snow College. He rushed 88 times for 355 yards and six touchdowns prior to transferring to Utah State.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back has at least one season of eligibility remaining due to the new junior college ruling.

READ MORE: Elite FSU Quarterback Commitment Gets First Chance To Meet New OC Gus Malzahn

Florida State has six scholarship running backs eligible to return in 2025; redshirt senior Roydell Williams, redshirt senior Caziah Holmes, redshirt junior Jaylin Lucas, redshirt sophomore Samuel Singleton Jr., sophomore Kam Davis, and redshirt freshman Micahi Danzy.

The Seminoles signed four-star Ousmane Kromah during the Early Signing Period.

READ MORE: Standout Utah State Running Back Transfer Lists Florida State In Top-Six

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football throughout the offseason

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• Florida State Adds FCS Quarterbacks Coach To Off-Field Staff

• Florida State Lands Explosive Tennessee Wide Receiver Transfer Squirrel White

• Florida State Secures Veteran Memphis Linebacker Transfer Elijah Herring

• Former FSU Defensive End, Seminole Legacy Transferring To Third School In Three Years

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Utah

Utah junior high teacher arrested for alleged possession of child porn

Published

13 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah junior high teacher arrested for alleged possession of child porn

PROVO, Utah — A teacher within the Alpine School District is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after allegedly uploading child porn to the internet. Travis Adamson, 49, is currently being held without bail.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 13 News, investigators were first notified of the potential crime at the end of April 2023. Adobe Inc. reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via CyberTip that a user had uploaded files containing depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on their account.

The CyberTip also included account information regarding the suspect user, including an IP address and email address that belonged to a teacher within the Alpine School District. Detectives used geo-location to trace the suspect’s IP address and found it was located within or near the city limits of Provo.

The school district confirmed to investigators that Adamson was still an employee within the district.

On Monday, detectives interviewed Adamson at the school where he confirmed that he was the sole user of the Adobe account and admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material.

Adamson also told detectives that he had downloaded several thousand images and videos onto his hard drive which is located at his home. He denied ever photographing or doing anything sexual or inappropriate with his students or other kids.

Detectives are now working to get access to Adamson’s hard drive and more charges could be coming.

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Utah

Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

Published

21 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Utah cracks AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball poll before key matchups

The Utah Utes have made headlines by cracking the AP Top 25 at No. 22 for the first time this season, following a hard-fought 75-67 win over Iowa State. This marks Utah’s third consecutive season being ranked, despite an unexpected coaching change early in the season. Head coach Lynne Roberts departed for the WNBA, leaving longtime assistant Gavin Petersen to step in. Under Petersen’s leadership, Utah has thrived, demonstrating resilience and cohesion.

Petersen credited the team’s ability to stay focused and overcome adversity. “Our resilient crew has stepped up and faced the adversity that’s in front of them,” Petersen said. Utah’s win over Notre Dame during a Thanksgiving tournament was a pivotal moment that signaled their strength and potential.

Utah has ‘big money’ problem with a billionaire calling NIL shots for rival

The competition for dominance in women’s college basketball continues to intensify as the Big Ten and SEC assert themselves as the sport’s premier leagues. This week’s Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll highlights the strength of both conferences, with each boasting seven ranked teams, including four in the top 10.

The Big Ten’s recent expansion with the addition of No. 1 UCLA and No. 4 USC has bolstered its claim as the top league. UCLA’s consistent performances, including a victory over South Carolina, solidify their place at the top of the rankings, earning 30 of 32 first-place votes. Meanwhile, the SEC has also grown stronger with No. 5 Texas and No. 10 Oklahoma joining the conference. South Carolina, a perennial powerhouse, remains No. 2 and will face Texas in a highly anticipated showdown.

This week, the Utes prepare for a marquee matchup, hosting No. 12 Kansas State at the Huntsman Center. This game not only pits two top-25 teams against each other but also serves as a litmus test for Utah’s aspirations in the Big 12.

As Utah continues its unbeaten run in conference play, upcoming matchups against No. 11 TCU and No. 17 West Virginia will provide further opportunities to climb the rankings and solidify their standing among the nation’s elite.

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