In the Work Session
Rock Canyon
Council members requested this presentation from the Rock Canyon Preservation Alliance regarding the group's proposal to put Rock Canyon under the long-term protection of a conservation easement. This will be heard again at a future work meeting after the conservation easement agreement has been drafted.
Parks and Recreation also presented a master plan for the Rock Canyon Trailhead area that will guide the short term and long term development of the trailhead and focuses on preservation, education, and recreation.
Parks and Recreation also presented a master plan for the Rock Canyon Trailhead area that will guide the short term and long term development of the trailhead and focuses on preservation, education, and recreation.
Affordable Housing
Robert Vernon, Executive Director of Provo City Housing Authority, gave a presentation on affordable housing. This topic often brings a lot of emotion and can deteriorate to trying to keep out "those people." Mr. Vernon explained that we need to have a better understanding of who is actually being impacted by the need for affordable housing. Area median income (AMI) for a family of four is $69,200. That sets a level for low income at $55,350, very low income at $34,600, and extremely low income at $24,600. One in four households in Utah County have incomes below 50% of the area median income (AMI). Life events like divorce or the death of a spouse can drop a family into a low income category. In Utah, the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $849. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities (without paying more than 30% of income on housing) a household must earn $2,829 monthly or $33,944 annually. That would take 90 work house per week at minimum wage. The typical two bedroom, two bathroom unit in new apartment projects is about $1,250. Mr. Vernon concluded with some solutions he proposed for the Council to consider.