Last year, the ULCT supported HB 430, which created a 20-member Commission on Housing Affordability. The ULCT recommended two municipal government representatives to serve on the Commission. The Commission met several times last year and this Bill is one product of their work. 

The Commission presented their findings to the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee and the Committee recommends this Bill. This Bill aligns two 2018 bills that impact housing affordability: HB 259 and SB 136. 

2018 HB 259 requires that municipalities address moderate income housing growth in their general plan and increases the topics a municipality must address in its housing report, including housing stock available to residents at 80%, 50%, and 30% AMI.  

2018 SB 136 requires UDOT to consider local land use and transportation in their planning process.  

In addition to aligning recent housing affordability provisions, SB 34 requires a municipality to incorporate tools to address housing affordability in its general plan that will best suit the community's needs. 

Also, this Bill defines a "major transit investment corridor" and requires municipalities to plan for residential and commercial development around these corridors to improve access to housing, jobs, schools, recreation, stores and services. 

Municipalities that fail to develop a general plan in compliance with new standards will not be eligible for Transportation Investment Fund or Transit Transportation Investment Fund money.