The 2023 election cycle is around the corner, Cedar Valley Sentinel sent out an invitation to all of the Candidates running for office in Fairfield and Eagle Mountain with an invitation to answer a set of questions. Over the course of the next few weeks we will be publishing those questions and the answers provided from the candidates. If you have missed any, or would like to go back and review them, you can do so by visiting this link: Cedar Valley 2023 Election Center. #2023
Question: How do you plan to address affordable housing challenges in our city? Are there specific policies or initiatives you would advocate for?
Scott Ferre
Eagle Mountain City Council
I believe that our community will be best served in the long term to build a wide range of housing. When residents grow and develop professionally, so will their disposable income. The more opportunities to spend that disposable income in Eagle Mountain, the more it will benefit small businesses and will also contribute to the tax base. Affordable housing is important, as are mid-level and high-end housing. I favor developing a full spectrum of housing types starting with affordable homes. Housing is subject to economic forces as are any other good or service. Scarcity will inflate prices and likewise, excess inventory will degrade the product over time. The key is to strike a balance between entry level housing and higher value homes and developments. Evolving demographics should be considered when new developments and projects are proposed. Infrastructure should also dictate timing and locations of proposed development.
Rich Wood
Eagle Mountain City Council
Affordable housing is controlled by the market. It isn’t the role of government to control pricing for private entities. We can however use the Fair Housing funds we receive from different corporations in Eagle Mountain to create purchase, home rehabilitation, neighborhood improvement etc. I have a comprehensive plan for this and am ready to execute it on day one if I am elected.
Angelina Washburn
Eagle Mountain City Council
I understand that the cost of housing is a bigger problem than anything our city has direct control over. I believe it is the pressure needed for our federal government. The reality is that all things becoming more expensive.
Melissa Clark
Eagle Mountain City Council
Historically, one of the best ways to keep housing affordable is to keep taxes down, commutes short, and promote vital economic development so people can work closer to home and the community can have a solid tax base. We can all see that those efforts just are not enough with our current economic climate, but home ownership is still one of the best ways to help escape multi-generational poverty. As part of the major economic development projects with RDA, Redevelopment Agency, in Eagle Mountain, (such as Facebook, Tyson, and Google), by state law, there is a sizable portion of money that comes from the property tax and RDA budget each year of the RDA. Our city needs to create an Affordable Housing Plan to use those resources to help foster stability in our community. That plan should include a healthy mix of programs and resources to foster home ownership, revitalization grants to improve value, ADU grants/loans to help homeowners create additional housing, and first-time home buyer grants. In addition to home ownership programs, we should also have programs that are temporary support to people who are not yet in a position to own homes. Whenever possible we should allow programs within the private sector and charitable organizations to help stretch the dollars in the Affordable Housing fund.
Hollie McKinney
Fairfield Mayor
I fully support Accessory Dwelling units (ADU’s). I would support streamlining the construction of ADU’s. This would provide affordable housing options and utilize existing infrastructure. I would also advocate for current residents that want to hook onto the water system to be able to do it at a discounted rate vs the same rate as a standard impact fee for new development.
Craig Whiting
Eagle Mountain City Council
Eagle Mountain already provides the most affordable housing in all of northern Utah County. A better question is this: what is Lehi doing to help with affordable housing? We need to stick affordable housing next to employment centers, not out in distant communities where that citizen will then move out as soon as the economic situation improves. If Eagle Mountain focuses on affordable housing, we’ll create a transient community that doesn’t really want to be here. Factually, we already have a large population base that will move to neighboring cities, shortening their commute times, as soon as their economic situation improves. Eagle Mountain is already the “best bang for the buck” in all of northern Utah County, and it’s time that Eagle Mountain focus more on creating stable communities with medium & larger lot sizes. Let Lehi, American Fork, and Pleasant Grove stack up higher density that’s more affordable. It makes much more sense.
Craig Morris
Eagle Mountain City Council
No responses to questions returned.
Jared R Gray
Eagle Mountain City Council
According to the US Census Bureau in 2022, Eagle Mountain joined the list of large cities (those with populations of 50,000 or greater) that made the list of 25 fastest growing large cities. People are moving to Eagle Mountain in large part because the housing is affordable. The city has been working on this issue and the statistics are the results of all stakeholders efforts. I believe we can have a balanced approach in our development to help all residents with their housing needs and desires.
Alina Pringle
Fairfield Council Seat A
Adopting an Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance will allow for some affordable housing options.
Michael Weber
Fairfield Council Seat A
Not sure at this time.
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