Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 541: First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program Amendments

HB 541 amends Utah's First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program by increasing the maximum assistance for new construction homes from $10,000 to $20,000 and keeping the limit at $10,000 for existing homes. It directly affects first-time homebuyers purchasing qualifying residential units in Utah who meet federal and state criteria, such as not owning another home within the past three years. The bill modifies key program provisions in Utah Code Sections 63H-8-501 and 63H-8-502 to reflect these adjusted funding limits, while making technical updates to definitions and administrative rules. No new funding is appropriated; the changes adjust how existing program funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases first-time homebuyer assistance for new construction from $10k to $20k, directly funding affordable housing access under Utah's program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 492: Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments

HB 492 creates the State Housing Infrastructure Partnership Fund and Board to provide loans for housing-related infrastructure projects. It directly affects municipalities, counties, and other qualifying local governments by authorizing the Board to issue loans from the $100 million fund to finance system improvements (like water systems, roads, or sewer facilities) that support housing construction. The bill requires loan recipients to prioritize projects including starter homes and transfers duties from the repealed Affordable Housing Infrastructure Grant Board to the new Board. It also establishes reporting requirements and rulemaking authority for the Board to manage the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $100M fund for housing infrastructure loans, directly allocating public funds to support local government projects under Public Funds/Accounts subject.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates $100M fund for infrastructure loans to support housing construction, prioritizing starter homes (affordable).95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly funds road infrastructure via loans for housing-related projects including road system improvements under the State Housing Infrastructure Partnership Fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 309: Single-family Home Rental Modifications

SB 309 requires owners of single-family homes rented to register with local authorities, including property managers. It imposes an excise tax on owners who manage 25 or more rental homes and creates a grant program for municipalities to help transition rental properties to owner-occupied homes. The bill mandates that registration notices be included with 2026 property tax notices and requires the Division of Real Estate to share registered property data with county assessors. It affects rental property owners, local governments, and municipalities, with provisions set to take effect in 2026. The bill includes technical changes but does not appropriate funds for implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on large rental owners and funds municipal grants for housing transitions, directly advancing tax revenue and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates grant program to transition rentals to owner-occupied homes, advancing affordable housing goals through municipal funding and registration requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax Affordable Housing Landlords Property Taxes

Track

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 243: Tax Increment Amendments

SB 243 amends tax increment financing rules for public transit-oriented developments in designated counties. It limits new projects to a 1/3-mile radius of transit hubs, restricts total project area to 125 noncontiguous acres, and caps the capture of property tax increases at 50% (not 80%) over a 15-year period per parcel. These changes apply specifically to projects approved under the bill's framework within a 30-year overall timeline. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Rules Committee after committee recommendations failed.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps tax increment capture at 50% (down from 80%), restricting TIF use for transit projects and limiting tax revenue diversion from general funds.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts development size (125 acres), radius (1/3-mile), and reduces tax capture cap (50% vs 80%), limiting transit-oriented housing project viability.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends tax rules to incentivize transit-oriented developments within 1/3-mile of hubs, capping tax capture to fund transit infrastructure expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes Public Transit Tags Economic Development

Track

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 279: State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit

SB 279 creates a 50% nonrefundable tax credit for property owners within one mile of designated "homeless services campuses" (facilities offering emergency shelter, mental health services, and support in one location, excluding correctional centers or microshelters). It directly affects qualifying property owners who receive annual tax notices for their land near these campuses. The credit equals half the property taxes paid in the year the tax notice is issued, applied to the owner’s state tax return. This policy aims to offset costs for neighbors of these facilities through a direct tax reduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 50% property tax credit for nearby owners, reducing tax burden - direct tax relief under tax credits subject95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tax credit for properties near campuses offering mental health services, directly advancing access to mental health care through facility incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for property owners near homeless services campuses, incentivizing development of facilities addressing homelessness (directly aligns with housing policy indicators).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Mental Health Affordable Housing Homelessness Property Taxes

Track

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 277: Utah Homes Investment Program Amendments

SB 277 expands Utah's Homes Investment Program to allow state-approved lenders to finance new housing types, including multi-family developments meeting affordability criteria, affordable rental projects, housing acquisitions, and city-run programs offering low-interest loans for home improvements to income-eligible homeowners. It removes limits on loan interest rates for developers and cities, and requires the state treasurer to conduct an economic impact study after the program ends. The bill directly affects developers, municipalities, and low-income homeowners seeking affordable housing options through expanded financing. It does not appropriate new state funds and aims to increase housing availability by broadening eligible projects under the existing program framework.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands affordable housing financing for multi-family/rental projects, removes interest rate limits for developers, funds low-interest loans for income-eligible homeowners, and mandates economic study to evaluate program impact.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HCR 14: Concurrent Resolution Supporting the Transfer of Federally Managed Lands

HCR 14 is a Utah legislative resolution urging Congress to allow limited transfers of specific federally managed lands for affordable housing. It requests that Congress authorize the sale or exchange of unreserved federal lands located near existing communities and infrastructure (like roads and utilities) to support moderate-income housing development. The resolution emphasizes that such land transfers must prioritize responsible stewardship and avoid expanding development into remote or environmentally sensitive areas. It does not create new laws or allocate funds, but formally asks Utah's congressional delegation to support this approach. The resolution directly affects federal land management policy and Utah's housing strategy for moderate-income residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly urges Congress to authorize land transfers for moderate-income housing development, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Property Development

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 221: Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments

SB 221 amends definitions and administrative procedures for Utah's Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones, directly affecting municipalities and planning authorities managing these zones. It redefines "base year" for property tax calculations, introduces the term "extraterritorial affordable housing," and adjusts requirements for boundary changes and project approvals. Key provisions include clarifying terms like "developable area" and modifying processes for reviewing investment zone proposals. The bill makes technical updates to Utah Code sections without adding new funding or creating new zones, focusing solely on refining existing framework language.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIntroduces 'extraterritorial affordable housing' and adjusts project approval processes, enabling expanded housing development within transit zones per bill's focus on Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning Tags Economic Development

Track

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 184: Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments

HB 184 allows property owners to request that municipalities accept "preferred land use regulations" for building starter homes or smaller residential lots, even if current zoning would normally prohibit it. The bill defines a "starter home" as a single-family home sold at or below the local average home price (with two parking spots), and sets a minimum lot size of 5,400 square feet for certain developments. Municipalities must review these requests within five business days, either approving them or denying them with written reasoning; if not denied within 30 days, the request becomes permitted. This process aims to increase housing affordability by streamlining approvals for smaller, more affordable homes without requiring additional engineering plans or design documents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables zoning changes for affordable starter homes (at or below local average price), facilitating development that addresses housing affordability constraints.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning Tags Local Government

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 436: Moderate Income Housing Infrastructure Amendments

HB 436 modifies reporting requirements for municipalities implementing moderate income housing strategies and adds a new transportation priority. It requires municipalities to submit detailed annual reports tracking housing strategies, new home construction, and zoning changes, with stricter compliance standards for those without public transit stations. Crucially, it grants priority consideration for transportation projects if a municipality adds 2.5% or more new residential units annually. The bill affects all "specified municipalities" defined under Utah law, with no new state funding required. It takes effect May 6, 2026, and makes technical updates to existing housing reporting codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes 2.5% annual residential unit growth for transportation priority, directly advancing moderate income housing development through mandatory reporting and funding incentives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill grants priority for transportation projects when municipalities add 2.5%+ new residential units annually, directly linking housing growth to transportation project funding and approval.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Public Transit