The Utah Foundation polled municipal workers across the state to gain their insights into affordable housing.
The report found many officials face barriers when attempting to introduce more affordable housing into their communities.
And they say those barriers often come from residents.
Sean Teigen, who heads the Utah Foundation, says anxieties people may have around affordable housing may not be accurate.
When we think about affordable housing, we think about more density.
And that comes along with perhaps more traffic.
And that may not be reality, but that’s what a lot of people are thinking about.
However, those anxieties can create restrictions for those who advocate for more diverse housing options.
In the survey, 79 percent of respondents said municipal officials pursuing affordable housing over residents’ concerns face political consequences.
Teigen says some officials must choose between fighting for their beliefs in the need to make housing more affordable and remaining in office to help the constituents with other matters.
The report polled officials in communities of at least 5,000 and examined populations across the state.
One option being discussed is making changes to zoning policies for so-called middle housing, a strategy that includes allowing multifamily housing in established single-family neighborhoods.