A new poll conducted by Embold Research on behalf of Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities (WALC) found overwhelming concern among Salt Lake City residents about housing affordability and broad support for policies that would expand housing options across the city.
The survey of 616 registered Salt Lake City voters found strong public support for a range of housing and land use reforms, including allowing more homes on smaller lots, increasing housing choice in residential neighborhoods, and creating greater flexibility around parking requirements near transit corridors.
The poll also highlights the personal impact of the housing shortage on residents throughout the city, with many respondents reporting that rising housing costs have affected their ability to remain in Salt Lake City long term.
Read the full press release and poll findings below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2026
New Poll Shows Strong Salt Lake City Support for Housing Reform and More Affordable Housing Options
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — A new poll conducted by Embold Research on behalf of Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities (WALC) found overwhelming concern among Salt Lake City residents about housing affordability and broad support for zoning reforms that would allow more homes to be built across the city.
The survey of 616 registered Salt Lake City voters found that:
- 74% of residents are “extremely” or “very” concerned about housing affordability.
- 76% believe Salt Lake City does not have enough housing options to meet residents’ needs across income levels.
- 72% say the Salt Lake City government has not done enough to create more housing options people can afford.
- 62% say the city should prioritize creating more housing over limiting growth to protect neighborhood character.
The poll also found strong support for several housing reforms currently being debated in Salt Lake City and communities across the Wasatch Region:
- 72% support allowing homes on smaller lots to reduce land costs.
- 63% support allowing duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in all residential neighborhoods.
- 56% support increasing allowable building heights to three stories.
- 53% support creating more flexibility around parking requirements near high-frequency transit corridors.
“The results are clear: Salt Lake City residents understand the severity of the housing crisis and want leaders to act,” said Turner Bitton, Executive Director of WALC. “People across age groups, income levels, and housing situations recognize that we need more homes and more housing choices. Residents are asking for practical, evidence-based reforms that make it easier to build housing people can actually afford.”
The poll found that the impacts of the housing shortage are deeply personal for many residents. More than eight in ten residents (84%) said they or someone they know has been impacted by the lack of affordable housing options in Salt Lake City. Additionally, 57% said housing costs have made it difficult to envision a long-term future in the city.
Residents surveyed shared stories of family members moving back in with parents, workers leaving the state for affordable housing, and professionals being unable to purchase homes despite stable careers.
“These findings reinforce what we hear every day from residents throughout the Wasatch Region,” said Lauren Cole, Policy Manager for WALC. “Housing affordability is no longer a niche issue. It is affecting students, working families, seniors, young professionals, and longtime residents alike. The encouraging news is that there is broad public support for the kinds of zoning and land use reforms that can meaningfully create new housing options and improve affordability over time.”
The poll was conducted online from March 30 through April 7, 2026, using Dynamic Online Sampling. Embold Research surveyed 616 registered voters in Salt Lake City. The margin of error is ±4.1%.
The full poll memo and topline results are attached to this release.
About Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities (WALC)
Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities champions community development in the Wasatch Region through programs and public policies focused on housing, land use, local governance, and transportation.
