Watchdog- July 2023
July Edition
Author- Berkley Barlow
I’m so excited to be bringing our second Watchdog of 2023 to you. I encourage everyone to take a look at our calendar for updates on new events and information. We have also added an “In Memory Section” to honor members who are no longer with us. If you arent already following us on Instagram or Facebook make sure to click the links at the top or bottom of the website to stay updated!
Affordable Housing
Author- Terri McCulloch
Affordable housing is typically defined as housing where the occupant pays no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs which also includes utilities. The tables below show average costs associated with the size of an apartment with one occupant. Rent/Utilities should not be more than 30% of gross income. The costs are monthly averages for Utah and include typical charges associated with living minimally. The Leftover column shows what is left as disposable income for a month. Emergencies, clothing, and maintenance would be taken from that amount. The last column shows the hourly wage needed to make the gross income necessary for the size of an apartment for one person. The average wage in Utah is $21.66 per hour. Even rent for a studio apartment at a wage of $21.66 per hour, you fall short of the required hourly wage of $25.68. This disparity needs to be addressed. Increasing the hourly rate paid also increases the cost of everything else to cover the add-on. The biggest cost is rent/utilities. The community needs to build houses that cost less each month so an average person can live an average life.
Currently, Utah ranks 45th in affordable housing for its citizens. HUD provides some excellent opportunities for citizens to help and receive assistance for affordable housing. Unfortunately, that is not enough to meet everyone’s needs. It has been proposed that old motels and hotels could be remodeled to include multi-family units. The average rent minus utilities at one of the remodeled hotels in Ogden with one bedroom, one bathroom, and one living area/kitchen is $1000 without utilities. That isn’t affordable for some. We have many empty buildings in Weber County that could be revamped to include housing for families and do it at a realistic charge. One of our most important concerns in our county needs to be about families and making sure they have the basic requirements needed to focus on becoming productive citizens and raising children that will break the cycle. If basic needs are not met, the family suffers, and the same situation can repeat itself. Weber County and Ogden City need to evaluate their population in a realistic light and build houses/apartments that do not charge more than the average wage earned by that population. Our citizens are diverse, and while some can pay more than the average payments, there is a large percentage that needs to have their situation assessed. Merely making more unaffordable multi-family units will not address these needs, but that is what we see all around us. Are we really building affordable housing when citizens can’t afford to live in the dwellings? Receiving housing help often takes a long time, which forces individuals and families on the street. We need to quit promoting the words affordable housing and evaluate what the community needs and build to that.
Greenspace in Ogden City Recent Issues
Author- Linda Mitchell
Greenspace is defined as: “an area of grass, trees, or other vegetation set apart for recreational or aesthetic purposes in an otherwise urban environment.” There has recently been some debate over greenspace near some Ogden City Schools, namely Gramercy, Taylor, Grandview, and Lynn Elementary Schools, which are all being demolished due to their ages and enrollment. The question has been what to do with the greenspace surrounding them. Mayor Caldwell favored housing developments on two of these properties, Taylor and Gramercy while maintaining Lynn as greenspace and offering Grandview for development to a private entity to build townhomes. Opponents have favored maintaining all these areas as greenspace. The city’s interest in housing development is largely due to the potential expansion of the tax base, while opponents stress the mental and physical benefits created for residents by greenspace. The opposition effort is led by Steve Van Wagoner, who helps run Ogden Soccer, a youth non-profit soccer club. According to Van Wagoner, “A draft 2019 study of Ogden’s recreational offerings cited by Van Wagoner indicates that there were 3.01 acres of public land in the city for every 1,000 residents at that time. To maintain that ratio as the population grows, according to the study, the city would need 32 more acres of park land by 2028 and 20 acres more on top of that by 2045.” The city council has the final say in what to do with the land. They have studied it in depth and recently voted to purchase the land at Lynn Elementary to build a park and another parcel owned by the district for housing. They did not address the land near Grandview Elementary which most likely means it will be put up for sale. For now, Taylor Elementary will remain Green Space owned by the district and Gramercy Elementary land remains intact.
Weber County League of Women Voters presentation about HUD
Author- Susan Skordos
The Weber County League of Women Voters invited Cathy Fuentes, the Grants Administrator for Ogden City’s HUD program, to discuss the HUD program in Ogden. The presentation took place via ZOOM on April 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal agency that creates national policy to address the country’s housing needs in order to assure Americans have access to suitable housing, particularly those of moderate and low income. Fuentes discussed a five-year plan the city has using federal dollars to aid residents with a $10,000 down payment to purchase housing. The city will buy neglected homes, renovate them, and sell them to low or moderate-income residents. Down payment assistance is available through the Community Housing Development Organization. The city has plans to sell and renovate five homes. If the city receives multiple applications, persons interested must sign up for a lottery. The city has funds for loans to improve home exteriors. Ten-year loans are available at 3%, and 15-year loans are available at 4%. Also available through Ogden City are small business loans up to $90,000 for 12% or lower if the owner completes education concerning business operations. Businesses must employ at least eight full-time employees and must prepare to respond to issues related to Covid. Businesses must be attempting to get their operations back on track after the pandemic. Additionally, there are loans for Special Economic Development in which the city determines if the project will create jobs. They will fund one project per year and are focused on blight removal. New funds are available for programs by July 1, 2023, and the public is invited to comment by May 10, 2023. HUD plans and Ogden city comments and applications are available on-line, at Fairhousing@Ogdencity.com, or HUDconplan.Ogdencity.com.
Student Loan Forgiveness
Author- Berkley Barlow
As a college student, I often find myself consumed by the pressures of academic success, career prospects, and the burden of student loans. The Supreme Court invalidated President Joe Biden’s student loan debt relief plan on June 30th in a 6-3 decision. The justices ruled that the program was an unlawful exercise of presidential power due to it not being explicitly approved by Congress. The president said the decision was disappointing and promised to take more steps to relieve the economic burden on those carrying student loan debt.
The soaring costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses have made student loans a financial dilemma that plagues the lives of millions of individuals. Graduates enter the workforce burdened by insurmountable debt.
Student loan debt disproportionately affects those from lower-income backgrounds, further aggravating existing disparities. While higher education should be a vehicle for socioeconomic mobility, it has become a catalyst for inequality. The burden of debt can restrict career choices, force individuals to accept low-paying jobs to meet their loan obligations, and limits their ability to invest in other vital areas.
Student loan forgiveness is not a handout but a necessary step toward creating a more equitable society. By lifting the burden of student loan debt, we empower the next generation to succeed, contribute, and lead. It is time to recognize that investing in education is an investment in the future of our nation. The pursuit of knowledge should not be hindered by financial constraints but instead cultivated and celebrated.
STATE OF WATER- Impact Study
Author- Marilyn O’Dell
In April, Governor Cox declared a state of emergency due to flooding and resulting avalanches, rock and mudslides, and other dangerous conditions. This Executive Order will allow the state to tap into the Reserve State Restricted Account for additional funds. This fund helps when a state has an emergency due to a disaster. The Division of Natural Resources map shows that, as of the end of April, the Weber Ogden River Basin had received precipitation greater than 272% of the median snow/water equivalent in previous years. Typically, Utah snowpack peaks around the first of April with a 30-year median of 5.8 inches. This year the peak was 30 inches. This breaks the previous record high making this the deepest snowpack for that date on record. Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, its population is predicted to double by 2050. Utah is also the second driest state in the country, but its per capita water use is among the highest. Utah and the entire western United States are in the midst of a severe drought, the worst in 1,200 years, with relentless heat, unpredictable climate changes, and diminishing water supplies. The Utah League of Women Voters conducted an updated study of water impacts and statistics that will drive water usage in Utah. Click to view the entire study.
New Member Highlight- Tirzah
I am a mostly Alaskan transplant who landed here in Utah a few years back seeking a new adventure, an excellent economy, and the freedom to leave the house without a sweater in July. I have found all three here in abundance. I enjoy taking advantage of Utah’s amazing hiking and road-tripping options with my husband and nine-month-old son, in addition to as much international travel as I can squeeze in. I am currently a disability examiner with the State of Utah. My educational background is in Psychology and International Development. Prior to my current position, I spent some time on the ground volunteering with a Palestinian/Israeli-run peace organization in Tel Aviv before working with AmeriCorps as an Economic Opportunity Specialist in Cleveland. I also worked for five years as a Welfare Case manager in Alaska. I did intensive work there to support my clients’ education, careers, childcare, transportation, budgets, housing, health, and safety. My experiences within these systems have given me a passionate desire to support effective and proactive policymaking. This is only possible with an electorate that is informed of their options and rights and that is empowered to use them. I love that the League of Women Voters is actively working to move the needle on this from multiple angles. I am excited about the potential to be of material use in helping the LWV work to fulfill its vital mission.
A little about me!
Hey Everyone! My name is Berkley, I am a Senior at Weber State studying International Relations. Although my major does focus on international affairs I have always thought while national politics usually dominates the headlines, it is at the local level where tangible change takes root. I am so excited to get to be the Leauges intern for the rest of this year.
I have 4 cats (which are far too many cats, I know) who I love very dearly, despite them ruining every piece of furniture I own. In my free time, I love to hike, go to farmers markets, and volunteer at Encircle: a local nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth.
Hopefully, you will be seeing a lot of me. I am so excited to keep publishing these Watchdogs and getting to know the members better. Make sure you’re following us on Instagram to keep up with my posts and any new events!
