Housing affordability refers to the relationship between housing costs and household income. Housing is often considered affordable when a household spends no more than 30% of its income on housing expenses, including rent or mortgage payments and utilities. This benchmark is commonly used by housing researchers, policymakers, and government agencies.

Housing attainability describes whether people at different income levels can reasonably find and access housing options that meet their needs within a community. While affordability focuses primarily on cost, attainability also considers factors such as availability, location, and housing choice.

Housing supply refers to the number of homes available within a community, including both existing homes and new homes that are built over time. Housing supply can include a variety of housing types, ownership models, and price points.

Workforce housing generally refers to housing that is affordable to middle-income households, including teachers, nurses, first responders, skilled trades workers, and many other members of the local workforce. Definitions may vary depending on the community, program, or policy being discussed.

In Utah, moderate-income housing is often discussed in relation to households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), though definitions and eligibility requirements may vary depending on the program, policy, or funding source being discussed.

Area Median Income (AMI) is a measure of household income used by government agencies and housing programs to determine eligibility for certain housing assistance programs and affordability requirements. AMI varies by region and household size.

A housing shortage occurs when there are fewer homes available than are needed to meet demand within a community or region. Housing shortages can contribute to higher housing costs, reduced housing options, and increased competition for available homes.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent home located on the same property as a primary residence. ADUs may be attached to the main home, located within it, or built as a separate structure.

A Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) is an ADU that is physically separated from the primary residence, such as a backyard cottage, converted detached garage, or standalone structure.

Missing Middle Housing refers to a range of housing types that fall between detached single-family homes and larger apartment buildings. Examples include duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and cottage courts. These housing types are often designed to fit within the scale of existing neighborhoods while providing additional housing options.

A duplex is a building containing two separate homes on a single lot.

A triplex is a building containing three separate homes on a single lot.

A fourplex is a building containing four separate homes on a single lot.

A townhome is a type of housing where individual homes share one or more walls with neighboring homes while maintaining separate entrances and ownership.

Mixed-use development combines different uses, such as housing, offices, restaurants, shops, or services, within the same building or neighborhood.

Housing choice refers to the availability of a variety of housing types, sizes, locations, and price points that can meet the needs of people at different stages of life and income levels.

Land use refers to how land is utilized within a community, including housing, businesses, industry, parks, schools, and other activities.

Zoning is a local government tool that regulates how land can be used and developed within a community. Zoning ordinances establish rules related to permitted uses, building size, setbacks, density, parking requirements, and other development standards.

A zoning ordinance is the set of local laws that establish zoning regulations and development standards within a community.

A zoning map shows the zoning designation assigned to individual properties throughout a community.

Density refers to the number of homes, households, or people located within a given area of land. Density can be measured in different ways and may vary significantly between communities and neighborhoods.

A setback is the required distance between a building and a property line, roadway, or other feature.

Parking minimums are local requirements that establish the minimum number of parking spaces that must be provided for a development.

Mixed-use zoning allows a combination of residential, commercial, office, or other compatible uses within the same zoning district.

Upzoning refers to changes in land use regulations that allow additional housing units, housing types, building size, or development opportunities on a property.

A zoning amendment is a change to a community's zoning ordinance or zoning map that modifies how land may be used or developed.

By-right development refers to a project that complies with all applicable zoning and development standards and can be approved administratively without discretionary approval from elected officials.

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) allows a land use that may be appropriate in a zoning district under specific conditions established by the local government. Conditional uses typically require additional review and may include conditions of approval.

A land use application is a formal request submitted to a local government for approval of a development project, zoning amendment, subdivision, conditional use permit, site plan, or other land use action.

A development agreement is a legally binding agreement between a local government and a property owner or developer that establishes specific terms, conditions, responsibilities, and expectations for a development project.

A Planning Commission is a local advisory body that reviews development proposals, zoning changes, planning documents, and land use policies. In many Utah communities, planning commissions make recommendations to elected officials, though some decisions may be made directly by the commission depending on local ordinances.

A City Council or other elected governing body is responsible for adopting local ordinances, approving budgets, establishing policies, and making many land use and zoning decisions within a community.

A public hearing is a meeting where residents, property owners, stakeholders, and other members of the public have an opportunity to provide feedback before a decision is made.

Public notice is the process local governments use to inform residents and property owners about upcoming meetings, hearings, or proposed actions that may affect a property or community.

Administrative approval occurs when a project meets adopted regulations and can be approved by staff without action from elected officials.

Legislative approval involves a decision made by elected officials, such as a city council, often related to zoning changes, zoning amendments, or modifications to local laws.

A general plan is a long-term policy document that outlines a community's vision and goals for future growth, development, transportation, housing, parks, economic development, and other topics.

A General Plan Amendment is a change to a community's adopted general plan. Amendments may update goals, policies, land use designations, or other elements of the plan.

Walkability describes how easy and convenient it is for people to reach daily destinations on foot.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is development located near public transportation that supports convenient access to transit, housing, jobs, services, and amenities. TOD often encourages a mix of housing, employment, and commercial uses within walking distance of transit.

Infill development refers to new development that occurs within existing communities on vacant, underutilized, or redeveloping land.

Because infill development occurs within existing communities, it can make use of existing roads, utilities, schools, and other infrastructure. Communities may consider infill development as one of several approaches for accommodating growth and redevelopment.

Opportunity-rich neighborhoods are areas that provide strong access to jobs, schools, transportation options, parks, healthcare, services, and other community resources that support quality of life and economic opportunity.

A Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone (HTRZ) is a state-authorized financing tool that allows participating communities and taxing entities to support housing development and related infrastructure improvements near transit investments.

Impact fees are charges assessed on new development to help fund infrastructure needed to serve growth, such as roads, parks, water systems, and public safety facilities.

Housing decisions in Utah are typically made through a combination of local planning processes, zoning regulations, state laws, elected officials, planning commissions, professional staff, property owners, developers, and community input. Different decisions may follow different review and approval processes depending on the type of proposal being considered.

Housing costs are influenced by many factors, including population growth, housing supply, construction costs, infrastructure costs, wages, interest rates, and local land use regulations. In many communities across the Wasatch Region, demand for housing has grown faster than the number of homes available, making it more difficult for some households to find housing that fits their needs and budget.

The answer varies by community. In many places, zoning regulations adopted throughout the 20th century limited or prohibited housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and cottage courts. Construction costs, financing challenges, land costs, and market conditions can also influence whether these housing types are built.

Housing markets are influenced by both supply and demand. When housing demand grows faster than housing supply, prices and rents may increase. Researchers continue to study how housing production affects housing costs, though many studies have found that increasing the number of available homes can help moderate housing cost increases over time.

Communities regularly plan for growth through investments in roads, water systems, sewer systems, parks, schools, and public services. The impact of new housing depends on factors such as location, scale, existing infrastructure capacity, and long-term planning efforts.

Developers, builders, lenders, property owners, and local governments all play a role in housing production. Like many businesses, developers seek to earn a return on investment. Housing discussions often focus on how regulations, costs, market conditions, and community goals influence what types of housing are feasible to build.

Displacement and gentrification are complex issues influenced by many factors, including housing costs, neighborhood investment, income levels, and housing availability. Communities often explore a variety of strategies to increase housing opportunities while supporting existing residents and preserving community stability.

Housing location and development patterns can influence transportation habits, infrastructure needs, land consumption, energy use, and environmental outcomes. Communities often consider these factors when planning for future growth.

Aging in place refers to the ability of people to remain in their homes or communities as they grow older. Housing options such as smaller homes, accessory dwelling units, accessible housing, and walkable neighborhoods can help support aging in place.