This week a group of Utah Valley University Public Relations and Strategic Communication students met with the Heber City Council to propose ways in which the city can address affordable housing. Heber City is currently one of the fastest growing microcities in the United States. Inasmuch, city officials have worked to provide enough housing to accommodate the population influx associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are focusing on issues that make a social impact, and Utah has seen an 18% growth in population according to the 2020 Census, of which Wasatch County and Heber City saw a 47 percent increase in population over the last ten years,” says Kassidy Rindlisbacher, UVU PR student and group leader. “Partnering with the council is an effort to address affordable housing needs in rural Utah that is seeing a large influx in population and strain on housing resources.”
Students at UVU collected data from Wasatch County residents over a three-year time period, through surveys and seven observation visits to the city. Using this data, students outlined a strategic public relations campaign to address the affordable housing issues. They unveiled their plans at the Heber City council meeting on Tuesday, March 4.
Student groups proposed multiple solutions to address the affordable housing issue facing the city, over the next 30 days they hope to accomplish their proposed plan. Solutions include the following:
- Students want to work with the city council to amend the Moderate Income Housing Plan section of the Heber City General Plan (Ordinance NO. 2023-08) to have affordable single-family homes to account for 1.5% of annexed or upzone new development.
- Distribute informational flyers and posters to residents and businesses explaining already-existing resources, such as the Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA). They plan to run another survey, facilitated by city officials, between April 1-15.
- Utilize social media to produce and promote a short video explaining these resources under #Affordable4All to local residents. The video will include accommodations for Spanish-speaking residents.
- Host a table at the Heber Valley Community Expo on Saturday, April 12 where they will directly connect with, educate, and empower residents to understand and utilize affordable housing resources, such as the CRA. Along with improving social media outreach by the city on affordable housing resources.
Council members applauded students for selecting a difficult subject to address and welcomed their support. “Don’t back down, even if it is a challenge” said council member Aaron Cheatwood. “Challenge us.”
Students received confirmation from the council to move ahead with their plans as they partner with the city. Council members took a monumental step by partnering with local college seniors who have taken the time to come up with solutions regarding affordable housing, something all of Utah is seeking solutions to. Heber City is home to the UVU Wasatch Campus, the largest UVU regional campus, serving rural parts of the Wasatch back.
The student proposals fall in line with Governor Spencer Cox’s plan to build 35,000 new affordable homes in the state over the coming years.
When asked by Council member Sid Ostergaard why they wanted to help, students responded that they wanted a future in housing and that each of them wanted their own home in the future that included a single-family home.
The student project is being overseen by UVU Public Relations and Strategic Communication professor Farah Sanders. Sanders has fifteen years of award-winning student social impact research and campaign experience. She felt this issue was important because it directly affects her students, and they need to be part of the conversations that affect them.
