One Big Thing:
Federal housing assistance quietly supports over 20,000 Utah households annually
Utah’s celebrated economic growth comes with a significant challenge: housing affordability. While local solutions grab headlines, federal dollars are silently doing heavy lifting across the state.
Why it matters:
In FY2022 alone, Utah received $482 million in federal housing support, with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program accounting for nearly 60% of that funding.
By the numbers:
- $286.7 million came through LIHTC, developing nearly 2,000 affordable rental units
- 40,000+ total LIHTC-supported units have been created across Utah since 1987
- 50% of these projects are concentrated in Salt Lake County, where affordability pressures are most acute
- 10-20% lower rents in LIHTC units compared to market-rate properties
Between the lines: The impact reaches well beyond urban centers. While Salt Lake County has the highest concentration of LIHTC projects, the program’s footprint extends to nearly every region in the state.
Trend watch:
LIHTC unit awards have accelerated dramatically since 2019, with Utah now averaging over 2,000 new affordable units annually – reflecting both growing demand and more effective utilization of federal resources.
The bottom line:
Federal housing programs – through tax credits, rental assistance, and other mechanisms – provide crucial support for thousands of Utah families struggling with housing costs.
As Utah’s housing crunch persists, these federal dollars represent a consistent, if often overlooked, part of the affordability solution. For working families managing tight budgets, the 10-20% rent reduction offered by LIHTC properties can make the difference between stable housing and financial crisis.
What’s next:
Policymakers and housing advocates should continue leveraging these federal resources while developing complementary state and local strategies to address Utah’s ongoing affordability challenges.
Go deeper:
The full Housing Nexus report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute offers a comprehensive analysis of federal housing assistance in Utah. Available at gardner.utah.edu.
