Highland City Council discusses challenges of affordable housing amid rising permit approvals

The City Council Work Session held on July 8, 2025, in Highland, Utah, focused on the pressing issue of affordable housing within the community. Council members engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the current state of building permits and housing developments, highlighting the challenges faced in providing affordable options for residents.

The meeting began with a review of Highland's building permit statistics, with estimates suggesting that the city issued approximately 200 permits in 2023. This figure positions Highland among the top ten cities in Utah for building activity. Despite this growth, council members expressed concerns about the affordability of new housing developments.

A significant point of discussion was the Ridgeview development, which is set to include 689 housing units. However, many of these homes are priced at or above $650,000, raising questions about their accessibility for average residents. Council members noted that while Highland is making strides in development, the reality is that many new homes are still out of reach for those earning moderate incomes.

The conversation also touched on the state's definition of affordable housing, which is based on 80% of the area median income (AMI). In Highland, where the median household income is approximately $178,000, this translates to a target income of around $150,000 for affordable housing initiatives. Council members acknowledged the difficulty in creating housing that meets this definition while still being genuinely affordable for lower-income households.

The council recognized the broader trend in Utah, where home prices are increasingly outpacing income growth, with typical home values now averaging six times the median salary. This disparity poses a significant challenge for the city as it seeks to balance development with the need for affordable housing options.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the complexities surrounding housing affordability in Highland. While the city is actively pursuing development opportunities, the council remains aware of the need for solutions that genuinely address the housing needs of all residents, particularly those in lower income brackets. Further discussions and strategies will be necessary to navigate these challenges effectively.