Advocates push for more affordable housing funding from Utah liquor sales

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Advocates urge Utah to allocate 25% of liquor sales profits to affordable housing.
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss's HB286 could provide $28 million annually for housing.
Senate leaders express concerns over budget constraints and existing allocations for liquor profits.

SALT LAKE CITY — With two weeks left in the legislative session, advocates are pushing for more money to build affordable housing in Utah.

HB286, sponsored by Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, would transfer 25% of net liquor sales profits to the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, which supports housing development for low- and moderate-income families.

Spackman Moss said that would result in $28 million as a dedicated, ongoing source of funding for this type of housing.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, speaks at a news conference Friday at the Utah Capitol. (Photo: Ray Boone, KSL-TV)

"The way people have built wealth in this country who don't make a lot of money is through equity in their homes and having their homes paid off when they retire," Spackman Moss said at a news conference Friday at the state Capitol. "That's what they pass along to their families. So, I think this is such a critical need and such an important time to be doing this."

Nonprofit organizations echoed the importance of ongoing affordable housing funding.

"This is what our state needs," said Corin Crow, with Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area. "This bill will allow for us to build more homes."

Currently, HB286 is held up in a House committee as Spackman Moss tries to get the votes to pass it. Senate leaders, meanwhile, are cool to the idea. Speaking to reporters Friday, Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, who plays a critical role in crafting the state budget, said liquor sales in Utah are "basically flat or decreasing."

Stevenson also said money from liquor sales is already dedicated for other uses.

Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, speaks to reporters Friday at the Utah Capitol. (Photo: Ray Boone, KSL-TV)

"We take the profits from liquor right now and we handle enforcement issues, prevention issues, and we use it in a lot of the school lunch program," Stevenson said.

Money is tighter in this year's state budget as the latest revenue projections came in $112 million less than expected. Stevenson has said it will be a "lean" year, although House and Senate GOP leaders are still considering another tax cut.

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