Affordability, availability and neighborhood 
stability are three aspects of real estate that the 2011 Utah County Housing Summit will address June 29 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Utah County Association of REALTORS® (UCAR) office in Orem.
Although many people recognize the connections between the housing market and the overall economy, experts at the event will also discuss the significant ties that building a strong housing market has to building strong communities.
“As the local voice of real estate in Utah County, we are always working to shed light on the challenges the market faces and how to initiate improvements,” says Taylor Oldroyd, UCAR CEO. “We can strengthen Utah County’s communities and housing market by ensuring the availability of a variety of housing types within a variety of price ranges.”
The summit will also address how having available and affordable housing increases access to employment, education, a good environment, and safe neighborhoods, among other factors.
Guest speakers will include Bruce Lefavi, president and founder of Lefavi Wealth Management; James Wood, director of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah; and Larry Ellertson, Utah County commissioner. Also participating in the event are a panel of housing experts featuring housing advocates, elected officials, REALTORS®, and lenders—including representatives from the Utah Housing Coalition, the Rural Housing Development Corporation, and Habitat for Humanity of Utah County.
“We all need to work together to help build healthier neighborhoods and communities,” Oldroyd says. “This event is designed to bring the right people together to helps us all continue to have a positive impact on housing in Utah County.”
Lunch will be served at noon. Following the morning agenda, attendees are invited to travel to affordable homes in Utah County to get a sense of the current availability. Limousine transportation will be provided by Gary Robison, a REALTOR® with Prudential Utah Elite in Orem.
The Utah County Association of REALTORS® follows its motto of “Bringing People Homes” and is committed to expanding affordable housing opportunities throughout Utah County. For more information, contact the Utah County Association of REALTORS® at (801) 226-3777 or visit them at www.ucaor.com.
Quick Facts
- Because wages have not kept pace with rising home prices and rents, millions of American households struggle to meet their housing costs.
- 47 percent of people in the United States say that a lack of affordable housing is a problem in their city. Source: Community Acceptance of Affordable Housing, (National Association of REALTORS®, National Center for Real Estate Research, June 2004, p. 61).
- In many communities, the people that provide vital services—teachers, firefighters, police officers, and laundry and restaurant workers—often cannot themselves afford to live there. Shortages of affordable housing close to where families work can lead to longer commutes, sprawl and traffic congestion that degrade the quality of life for all residents.
- Neighborhoods are stronger and more marketable where housing costs are within reach of the workforce of nearby employers. Communities are stronger where public service employees are close to their jobs.
- As members of the business community, REALTORS ® understand how the lack of housing for working families – both rental and homeownership – threatens the vitality of their communities