Today, Mayor Jackie Biskupski convened faith leaders across Salt Lake City to address the affordable housing crisis. The working lunch served as an open dialogue for faith leaders to ask questions, provide feedback, and to learn about “Growing SLC: A Five-Year Housing Plan”, the City’s first affordable housing plan since 2000.

In attendance were members of various congregations including the LDS Church, Unity Baptist Church, Wasatch Presbyterian Church, Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, Sacred Life of Christ, Trinity A.M.E. Church, First United Methodist Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Centenary United Methodist Church, and the Congregation KOL AMI.

“Our spiritual leaders are crucial partners in helping us reach out to residents and explain how affordable housing lifts all boats,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “If we truly want greater equity in our City, we must collaborate and think creatively.”

Faith leaders acknowledged that affordable housing opportunities need to be sustainable and creative to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families who need housing solutions. With deeply affordable housing as the priority, options include expanding emergency transitional housing, long-term permanent supportive housing, and building more housing stock.

“Individuals who have come to our congregation for shelter have told me that the current shelter model simply does not work for them,” said Reverend Nurjhan Govan of Trinity A.M.E. Church. “We as faith leaders want to be involved in the brainstorming of creative solutions, and I feel that the new resource model is a good first step.”

Mayor Biskupski encouraged faith leaders to contact their City Council members and encourage them to support the housing plan. The City Council will have a second public hearing on the “Growing SLC” plan on Tuesday, November 21 in room 315 of the City and County Building.

About “Growing SLC: A Five-Year Housing Plan”

“Growing SLC: A Five-Year Housing Plan” is Salt Lake City’s first affordable housing plan in almost 20 years. The plan focuses 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.

To learn more about the plan, visit: https://www.slc.gov/housingstability/