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Provo Council wrestles with affordable housing, homeless issues

By Genelle Pugmire - | May 3, 2023

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

Homes can be seen along 600 North in Provo on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.

The Provo Municipal Council is wrestling with a conundrum. During Tuesday’s work session they heard a number of presentations on Provo housing needs and homelessness in the city.

There appeared to be a genuine desire to make zoning codes less complex — such as allowing smaller home lots and setbacks etc. — thus making it less expensive to build and purchase homes and housing units.

Finding solutions will require the council to ask one question of themselves — will they dedicate the time, energy and resources it takes to help homeless people in the city and encourage more affordable housing or will they kick the can down the road for a future council?

Jessica Miller, Community Strategy director with Community Action Services, addressed the housing needs in Provo. They are not just for the “starving students” but for a growing population of hard working residents who can’t afford to rent or buy a home or apartment in Provo.

“We have a mandate to find out what community needs are,” Miller said. In the United Way of Utah County’s Community Needs Assessment, Miller said the number one need was more affordable housing. Just below housing are livable wages, food security and good health providers.

Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

Bikes belonging to possible homeless individuals sit outside the McDonald’s restaurant on South University Avenue on Jan. 17, 2017, in Provo.

“The housing needs are so big it has affected all three of the other areas,” Miller said. “Housing is scarce and makes vulnerabilities enhanced.”

Miller noted that it is not only affordable housing but the lack of enough housing itself that keeps Community Action constantly trying to provide pathways of progress for homeless and the working poor to find affordable housing options.

Motel vouchers can only be used so long, Miller said. She noted that 377 people last year used vouchers funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The church also provides one-time vouchers for furniture through Deseret Industries, where furniture items such as beds, tables and chairs are manufactured.

While long-time home owners may not feel the housing crunch as much, many have seen their children have a hard time. More of the community’s children are staying and contributing to population growth than those moving here from elsewhere, according to the needs assessment.

Bill Peperone, development services director, told the council that three months ago he did a city-wide survey of rent prices. One Bedroom, one bathroom apartments are now being rented for $1,370 a month with two bedroom apartments going for $1,670 per month. You would have to make $23.71 an hour to afford a one bedroom apartment.

Miller said the Community Action Services Food Bank has seen a significant increase in customers this year due to inflation and interest rates.

“We are giving families food so they can pay their housing,” Miller said. “We need support year round and we’re dependent on more and more at the food bank.”

Miller suggested the council could help by doing three things: Have a responsible, intentional investigation of ways to provide additional housing; support for the general population with a non-congregate shelter in the county; and improve food access.

The council took up the discussion concerning affordable housing, zoning codes that could change to help with building affordable units and more. They will continue to address these issues in the coming months.

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