By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Nephi now has an affordable housing plan.
A grant application is being prepared for a housing
rehabilitation project to benefit residents of low and
moderate income.
"We needed to be able to move forward on the grant
process," said Randy McKnight, city administrator.
In order to do so, the council needed to have a plan
on the books.
"You can fine turn and amend the plan after its
adoption," said McKnight.
However, the plan needed to be in place before the
grant application could go further.
The council authorized Mayor Chad Brough to sign the
grant application and other required documents and policies
so that the grant would be considered.
The plan, said McKnight does some analysis. For
example, it notes that in 2003 the population was 5,201 with
an average annual population growth rate of approximately
4.0 percent.
The population is expected to reach 5,969 by 2007.
By 2007, the city should have 748 affordable housing
units.
"The housing element must address five issues," said
McKnight.
The analysis must give an estimation of the existing
supply of moderate income housing, an estimation of the need
for moderate income housing, a survey of the total
residential zoning, an evaluation of barriers to
opportunities for affordable housing and a program and plans
to encourage an adequate supply of moderate income
housing.
"The zoning mixture we have makes housing more
affordable for low and moderate income families," said Chad
Brough, mayor.
What has been done sounds noble, said McKnight, but it
must be remembered that it is also a state mandate.
The city needs to be able to defend the fact that an
effort has been made to make affordable housing a reality in
the community, he said.
"The 2000 Census median household income for Nephi
city is $38,918," he said.
Using $31,134 or 80 percent of the median household
income as a guide the maximum monthly rental is $776 and the
maximum purchase price for a home is $96,294.
For 2005, the city actually has 444 more units than
needed. That surplus is expected to continue through the
year 2007.
"Impact fees are not charged in our community at this
time, this affords the opportunity for new home buyers to
purchase affordable lots," he said.
One of the things the community can do, said McKnight,
is to support and promote housing repair and rehabilitation
programs administered by the Six County Association of
Governments and the USDA Rural Development Agency.
The city can also promote diversified housing choices
through implementation of the zoning ordinance and general
plan.
Through adoption of the plan the city shows commitment
to providing opportunities for affordable housing, said
McKnight.
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