9-4-1202 - Legislative policy and purpose.
9-4-1202. Legislative policy and purpose.
(1) It is the policy of the state that to promote the general welfare of its citizens it isnecessary to remedy the unsafe and unsanitary housing conditions and the acute shortage ofdecent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for families of medium and low income, in urban and ruralareas. These conditions cause an increase and spread of disease and crime, and constitute amenace to the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the state.
(2) It is the policy of the state:
(a) to make adequate provision of affordable housing for:
(i) persons of medium or low income who are unable to provide themselves with decenthousing including:
(A) elderly persons;
(B) persons with disabilities;
(C) veterans;
(D) special needs populations;
(E) low income persons living on tribal trust lands;
(F) persons receiving public assistance under self-sufficiency programs; or
(G) low income persons living in mobile homes, as defined in Section 70D-2-102; and
(ii) during limited periods, for disaster victims; and
(b) that the provision of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations at rents or pricesthat persons of medium and low income can afford will materially assist in developing moredesirable neighborhoods and alleviating the effects of poverty in this state.
(3) The purposes of this part and Part 6, Housing Authorities, are to meet these problemsby:
(a) providing low-cost housing for medium and low income persons; and
(b) encouraging cooperation between political subdivisions and the nonprofit sector tomake available low-cost housing in all areas of the state.
(4) It is in the public interest to use the broad financial resources and technical servicesavailable to government in cooperation with the ingenuity and expertise of private enterprise toalleviate this lack of safe and sanitary dwellings while stimulating local industry, according to thefollowing principles:
(a) The private sector, including nonprofit entities, shall be the primary source ofdeveloping and providing affordable housing with state and local incentives to encouragehousing development.
(b) State money used in the development of housing shall:
(i) be heavily leveraged when possible;
(ii) be primarily invested as loans;
(iii) be primarily spent on housing production; and
(iv) give priority to needs of persons of medium or low income who are unable toprovide themselves with decent housing including:
(A) elderly persons;
(B) persons with disabilities;
(C) veterans;
(D) special needs populations;
(E) low income persons living on tribal trust lands;
(F) persons receiving public assistance under self-sufficiency programs; and
(G) low income persons living in mobile homes, as defined in Section 70D-2-102.
(c) When possible based on economic feasibility and effectiveness, state housingprograms shall encourage:
(i) mixed income developments;
(ii) socio-economic diversity in neighborhoods; and
(iii) new, multifamily construction.
(d) State resources may be used in partnership with political subdivisions or the privatesector to promote affordable housing.
(e) Within appropriations from the Legislature, the state may provide training andtechnical assistance to Utah's political subdivision, quasi-governmental, and nonprofit housingproviders.
Amended by Chapter 72, 2009 General Session