Today, Mayor Jackie Biskupski convened the first meeting of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing. The Commission—called for in the Mayor’s affordable housing plan—will help develop a public-private partnership to leverage resources to tackle the housing crisis in Salt Lake City and beyond.

The Blue Ribbon Commission includes representatives from Goldman Sachs, Zions Bank, Cowboy Partners, Associated Title Co., Coldwell Banker, American Express, GivGroup, and the Salt Lake City Council.

“To fundamentally alter the housing landscape in Salt Lake City, we must establish partnerships and build consensus across industry and jurisdictions,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “We are committed to implementing long-term solutions to ensure all who want to call the Capital City home, can. This Commission consists of partners who want to assist Salt Lake City in this noble effort.”

Mayor Biskupski is preparing to release the City’s first housing plan since 2000, elements of which will be discussed at the upcoming State of the City Address on January 31st. It will be focused on reforming city practices, preserving long-term affordable housing, stabilizing low-income tenants, establishing a long-term funding source, and addressing issues of equitability and fair housing.

The Mayor’s Commission will also be tasked with cultivating partnerships across the County, to ensure best practices and resources are collectively shared. With a rapidly growing population, and home and rental prices rising faster than wages, Salt Lake City is in the beginning stages of a systemic housing crisis.

Both the Mayor and the Salt Lake City Council have identified affordable housing as a priority issue. The Mayor’s housing plan is intended to be a 5-year action plan to put in place new policies that will have lasting impact.

“Affordable housing is about more than numbers and total units, it’s about creating sustainable opportunity,” said Mayor Biskupski. “Our plan is about reform and aligning resources so Salt Lake City will finally be conducive to city-wide affordability.”