[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6361188,"mediaKeyId","2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d","parentId",2170996,"title","State housing adviser outlines market pressures, preservation and public‑land opportunities","audioSeconds",626,"startMs",6011000,"endMs",6637000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d&start=6011&end=6637","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d/thumbnail_6011000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361188/Utah/State-housing-adviser-outlines-market-pressures-preservation-and-publicland-opportunities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361188-6181729c0c7328912aa13eb3cd5a6f52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098603&Signature=KPWghmIB5FG5yzY2iFWETvQcgb89kjqE9fzC8epARC7cVDGI9UGX2Zit7kVENrAUSN~se6NP086wMoZgXJG7p-ovaBM2qEVkgpW6HagUnPGZr3nqYlpuD26qN5gG4tIgJm5vPF2I4~-ph2dqV8krTz5YaPT-Z2sixt8hqT18n~l-TW-fmzLko1wR6fOZSp8domPIEcvlvWNjZo5cgPizGJb4kjpJPesCdvMIYK-VA7PIowhNl9mqIn3FtAZwLJ55NefpM0PrLfEPWLGUg5AzNDUI31PjCf7KjgsJL2KSgCWoi352tgwNQqmTVbD7lCKVO5AtFeVlpGiblsFzYTttkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Steve Waldrop, senior adviser (housing), briefed the subcommittee on statewide housing affordability, preservation of deeply affordable units and potential strategies to increase entry‑level ownership opportunities using public assets.

Waldrop said Utah faces a growing shortage of attainable housing and described several initiatives to respond: preserving existing low‑income units at risk of losing deed restrictions, advancing shared‑equity and workforce housing programs, exploring transit‑adjacent public land for housing development, and rethinking regional infrastructure financing so development can pay for large trunk lines and other up‑front costs. He cited several data points: an estimated 77,000‑unit deficit of deeply affordable housing (30% AMI and below), 217,000 acres of BLM and U.S. Forest Service land inside incorporated city boundaries and roughly 650,000 acres within a mile outside cities (which he identified as underutilized opportunities), and recent production figures that showed about 4,661 starter homes sold last year against a stated need of roughly 7,000 units annually.

Nut graf: The adviser urged a mix of preservation, shared‑equity models and targeted public investments in land and infrastructure to expand entry‑level ownership and workforce housing while avoiding large windfalls to private developers when public subsidies are used.

Waldrop described programs funded by recent legislative appropriations — a housing preservation fund (used to acquire and preserve projects when deed restrictions expire), shared equity pilot programs, and Rocky Mountain Homes Fund and Housing Solutions Foundation initiatives that use public subsidy to lower monthly payments for teachers, nurses and other frontline workers. He said the state wants to avoid short‑term subsidy structures that create windfalls for later owners and instead seek long‑term solutions that keep housing affordable for targeted buyers.

When asked about market solutions, Waldrop said the state intends to “prod” private investment through light, targeted interventions rather than replace market forces; he also noted infrastructure (water, sewer, transportation) and labor availability are constraining factors that require regional financing approaches.

Ending: Committee members requested follow‑up on specific infrastructure financing proposals and encouraged the adviser’s office to continue collaboration with municipal partners on planning and public‑land opportunities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee - January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A senior housing adviser briefed the subcommittee on the state housing shortage, preservation of deeply affordable units, and potential use of underutilized public lands and infrastructure strategies to support more entry‑level housing.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361194,"Office of Homeless Services seeks ongoing funds for new family shelter, outlines state homelessness trends",976,3904000,4880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d&start=3904&end=4880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d/thumbnail_3904000.jpg","/articles/6361194/Utah/Office-of-Homeless-Services-seeks-ongoing-funds-for-new-family-shelter-outlines-state-homelessness-trends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361194-a6b49414741308f646a2a2431c9613fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098603&Signature=OfreNknNW7TqJmcScdp8kIAPHrmk8rhpEWcZ8irrXcE03XjiWS4WpADy96bAcseW9Bv9quS6P15kSd8r2zNYvqFwtTbCTkrpZI1c-sM-6tqOh4fn0DTwRMFe-pvM6pzR42UOfQCIghq2uwqVHxDoQTFgLdVYqpu22r-w-jYsps-a32h34PW9sdCgzMWU3WFArb9AoS~DOhEPvwPrZNNSUIU6bn0U~ZyWcjY4~YY77woxwgGvp5YlXwNN1bj2UIeTduyN9pkkkB97gyyfZSc1yap2h87BTaR98~lfJWMKAhlKxm3gnyRDjhN84DuefiQNkoJQJVMiF~xlrdrZLtrobg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wayne Niederhauser, director of the Office of Homeless Services, told the Comic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee that homelessness in Utah remains a significant, multifaceted challenge and asked for ongoing and one‑time funds to operate new and expanded shelter capacity.

Niederhauser highlighted both first‑time and persistent homelessness trends: he said “10,000 people experienced homelessness for the first time in Utah in 2023,” while point‑in‑time counts capture about 4,000 people on a single night. He described two broad groups: a large transitional population that typically stays in shelter for short periods and a smaller persistent population struggling with chronic issues (mental health, substance use, involvement with the justice system) that require supportive housing and treatment.

Nut graf: The office requested ongoing operating funds and one‑time appropriations to maintain and expand shelter capacity, stressing that housing availability — especially deeply affordable housing — is central to reducing homelessness.

Niederhauser requested $5,800,000 ongoing to operate a newly acquired and renovated family shelter in South Salt Lake that will provide private sleeping space for families (he said it will accommodate about 80 families and up to roughly 400 people). He described the ask as $3,800,000 from the general fund plus $6,000,000 in TANF spread across three years (noting that $2,000,000 per year from TANF would be applied). He also requested $11,000,000 one‑time from the general fund to continue winter and summer emergency shelter operations and said an additional $2,000,000 could come from an existing Pamela Atkinson Trust Fund source (created by liquor‑store roundup revenue) for a total of $13,000,000 in combined sources to maintain expanded winter bed capacity.

Niederhauser told committee members the state has funded deep‑affordability housing projects in recent years (he cited a prior $51,000,000 tranche that helped create 1,538 new deeply affordable units after earlier appropriations) but stressed the continuing deficit: he and the committee cited an estimated 77,000‑unit statewide shortfall in deeply affordable housing (30% AMI and below). He said that “80% of the people that go into shelter stay there less than 90 days,” and that connecting shelter with housing resources and treatment produces the best outcomes for people with persistent needs.

Committee members asked how the mitigation fund that supports city public‑safety costs related to homelessness is distributed; Niederhauser said formula language in statute drives distributions to affected municipalities. He also described accomplishments such as new microshelter and medically vulnerable shelter openings.

Ending: The office asked appropriators to consider ongoing operating support for the new family shelter and additional one‑time shelter operations funding in the current prioritization process.","Office of Homeless Services briefed the subcommittee on homelessness data and requested ongoing and one‑time funding to operate a new family shelter and continue emergency shelter operations and winter beds.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361199,"Subcommittee reviews TANF rules, eligibility and a proposal to use TANF for childcare subsidies",1175,2547000,3722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d&start=2547&end=3722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d/thumbnail_2547000.jpg","/articles/6361199/Utah/Subcommittee-reviews-TANF-rules-eligibility-and-a-proposal-to-use-TANF-for-childcare-subsidies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361199-80dadc40ec01fa3a5637e02b6d653202/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098603&Signature=otU~iUDreR-utFCHlwcYz4dPvAc3HXchb7ZsD0K9VAu9E5pbnBOTS9gp2OkO9cUr0ysqsivk6KllpANEIs4sWRxCe0oZYq1p-9P4pt7LKvFeGKNUMRtG5xTClZ2VodyIfih19pErQ8vyICfyPfprv0G9iMLBc-xzPgEZ9gn0cwCDuHZdRdV8dZ~9UluMy4ONbmCHk~Tz-J-1~FFPt83V4h6z7L8sDRrYYJkq4fXYVavcvmC9eochQkN4d2BGr3hRjPT1Octafe9pfVvai667qUOXM8ELQGs1VHPMckl7H8JGWfcJa6YpB2U090TDy3zEylw3CbcglLgTP73xEG20ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legislative fiscal staff and Department of Workforce Services officials briefed the subcommittee on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility rules, current TANF balances and a proposal to apply unobligated TANF reserves to expand childcare subsidies for low‑income families.

Josh (legislative fiscal analyst) told the subcommittee that TANF is a federal block grant with roughly $75,000,000 awarded annually to Utah and that some TANF funds are transferred to other programs (for example, a portion moves to the Child Care and Development Fund and to Social Services Block Grant programs). He said that after transfers and routine expenditures the department estimated about $22,500,000 in TANF funds available this year for one‑time purposes. \"If you're looking to fund a $90,000,000 volleyball stadium, I'm sorry — we're not gonna be able to do that,\" Josh said, noting the federal rules place limits on allowable expenditures.

Nut graf: The subcommittee heard that TANF funds can be used for a range of purposes consistent with TANF’s four federal goals but that some items (notably construction and certain capital projects) are ineligible. Committee staff and agency officials said they would screen RFAs (requests for appropriation) for TANF eligibility before the subcommittee’s prioritization process.

Liz Carver, workforce development division director, and Nathan Harrison, executive finance director, described eligibility rules: TANF‑funded services tied to the program’s first two purposes generally require household eligibility (a child under 18 in the home, household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and U.S. citizenship or eligible non‑citizen status). Harrison and Carver said certain basic needs (housing, food, clothing) are limited to short‑term (up to four months) emergency assistance but that childcare and transportation can be provided for longer when families are employed. Carver said an average cash‑assistance household the department serves is three people and that 200% of the federal poverty level equates to roughly $53,000 annually (figure changes each year).

Kevin Burt of DWS described a motion in the committee packet that would authorize DWS to use any unobligated TANF reserve at the end of the session to increase TANF‑eligible childcare subsidies. He said childcare costs have risen, diminishing the purchasing power of subsidy dollars; DWS estimates its subsidy rates now cover provider prices roughly half the time whereas federal guidance recommends a 75th‑percentile coverage. The motion would allow the department to use year‑end TANF balances to improve affordability for TANF‑eligible households; the department cautioned compliance adjustments would be required because TANF eligibility rules differ from the current childcare subsidy rules.

Committee members asked about the practical effects on clients who attempt to increase earnings. Carver said many benefits are scaled and taper as income increases; DWS provides employment counseling, training and other supports intended to help families increase earnings without sudden benefit cliffs.

Ending: The subcommittee did not vote on the TANF childcare motion during the briefing; members asked staff to continue screening RFAs for TANF eligibility and to include TANF‑eligible items in appropriations prioritization materials.
","Legislative fiscal staff and DWS briefed the panel on federal TANF rules and a motion to use unobligated TANF reserve to expand childcare subsidies for TANF‑eligible families.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361203,"Department of Workforce Services outlines budget requests, highlights Summer EBT and TANF proposals",865,28000,893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d&start=28&end=893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170996-aa5ee6f021279b23c5f6328b1bd2078d/thumbnail_28000.jpg","/articles/6361203/Utah/Department-of-Workforce-Services-outlines-budget-requests-highlights-Summer-EBT-and-TANF-proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361203-92fcd850f89d46fe2c43063bf508e37a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771098603&Signature=dIHH942S3rfIGx3mgVHtClik~NWSAo4aJvqbCh9JziPszSlRdhZkvwmB-yPyyk3R1zcE2bvB5XZvqM3GdUO-vFl~A7EKXEei9eqk1TiHDFDO873rrZ02xCf1OsYboJiD~av6UiXZVGbXtWeot4n0DaGxd-334qm1~AD-wMWouwYm-A~Sf45BCgg3X64avS8aoa0ga-siLJGKI1Lc4IQgENMNT4cEJqF4Kg0ErEqTlzBD1wjUCG~WLdsBnnHQ~I5cLcnn9OJnLh945TNVIXGx28I05Fou8v5wqnWuX134rhipknSW4xKQu5ca6lSVerYfO68sBCvYNF55yWaDG9Acog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Workforce Services presented an overview of its programs and four budget requests to the Comic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee on Jan. 30, 2025, including a request to fund administration of a Summer EBT benefit for school‑age children and a general‑fund ask to cover higher phone‑system costs.

Casey Cameron, executive director of the Department of Workforce Services, told the committee the department’s mission is to “strengthen Utah’s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need.” He said the department receives most of its funding from federal sources (roughly $1,000,000,000) and about $128,000,000 from the state general fund. Cameron described major program lines including nutritional assistance (roughly $600,000,000) and operations and policy (about $453,000,000). He also reviewed the department’s subdivisions — workforce development, eligibility services, housing and community development, childcare, the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, unemployment insurance, and refugee services — and noted about 2,000 department employees statewide.

Nut graf: The department asked the committee to consider one general‑fund request and three other budget items that are either federal‑funded or require committee spending authority, and it described a separate TANF‑eligible pilot to help people transition off public assistance.

The specific budget requests that Kevin Burt, deputy director, presented were:

- Summer EBT (listed in the request documents as “summer meals for school‑aged children”): a request of $1,855,800 in public education funds (one‑time in the packet) to cover administrative costs for Summer EBT for three summers. Burt said an annual administrative cost of $618,700 would support a drawdown of roughly $31,200,000 in federal food benefits each summer to about 260,000 eligible children; tripling the administrative appropriation would, he said, allow the state to draw down about $31.2 million each summer for 2026–28 (approximately $94 million total federal benefits over three summers). Legislative fiscal staff recommended the committee consider ongoing funding at $618,700 rather than one‑time funding to avoid interruption.

- Cloud‑based call center: a $225,000 ongoing general‑fund appropriation (the state share of a $450,000 total cost increase) to cover higher costs after statewide modernization of the enterprise phone system. Burt said DWS handles more than 1,200,000 eligibility calls and more than 100,000 unemployment insurance calls annually.

- Unemployment insurance (UI) modernization: a motion seeking committee spending authority to use previously awarded federal Reed Act funds (federal funds designated for UI modernization). The department said this request requires spending authority only and not general fund.

- Post‑public‑assistance stabilization (a TANF‑eligible competitive grant): a $6,000,000 one‑time TANF request that would fund community partners to provide case management, financial planning and services designed to help TANF‑eligible households transition toward self‑sufficiency over the next three years.

Burt also reviewed DWS budget reductions the agency submitted: two consensus reductions totaling $809,400 and two optional reductions, including a proposed $1,000,000 one‑time rollback of the Summer EBT appropriation (which the department said would shut down the Summer EBT program and forfeit the federal drawdown) and a $1,000,000 one‑time reduction to a law enforcement first‑time homebuyer down‑payment assistance program (the department said removing that funding would eliminate roughly 71 forgivable down‑payment awards, average forgivable award about $14,000).

Committee members asked how a temporary federal grants freeze might affect DWS. Burt said benefit programs for individuals (SNAP, Medicaid, childcare subsidies, rent assistance) would not be frozen, but optional programs such as Summer EBT could be discontinued if the federal funding stream were interrupted.

The department also reviewed non‑budget matters: eligibility processes, online access (jobs.utah.gov), refugee services (the department said there are about 65,000 refugees in Utah who participate in the workforce), and workforce development services including 30 employment centers and jobs.utah.gov listings.

Ending: The meeting later recessed to other agenda items; a motion to adjourn the full hearing passed unanimously at the end of the session.
","State Department of Workforce Services briefed the appropriations subcommittee on its programs, four budget requests including a Summer EBT administration ask, a small general-fund request for call‑center costs, and a TANF-funded pilot for post‑public‑assistance stabilization.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State housing adviser outlines market pressures, preservation and public‑land opportunities

Office of Homeless Services seeks ongoing funds for new family shelter, outlines state homelessness trends

Subcommittee reviews TANF rules, eligibility and a proposal to use TANF for childcare subsidies

Department of Workforce Services outlines budget requests, highlights Summer EBT and TANF proposals