How Utah Can Lower Housing Prices Amid an Influx of California Elitist Socialists
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
The rising cost of housing in Utah has become a pressing issue, driven in part by an influx of Californians fleeing their state’s economic and social policies. Many of these newcomers bring with them the same failed socialist ideologies that led to California’s housing and economic crises, inadvertently exporting the problem to our state. As a proud Utah resident and conservative, I believe we must address this issue with solutions that prioritize local families, preserve Utah’s culture, and resist the creeping influence of progressive socialism.
Understanding the Problem
The migration of Californians to Utah is not inherently problematic. Utah has long been a beacon of opportunity and a desirable place to live. However, the arrival of California elitist socialists, who often push for policies like rent control, excessive environmental regulations, and high taxation, has driven up housing demand and prices while threatening our state's conservative values.
According to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah’s population grew by over 60,000 people in 2023 alone, with much of the influx concentrated in the Wasatch Front. The median home price in Salt Lake County now exceeds $550,000—making homeownership out of reach for many Utah families. Without decisive action, the problem will worsen.
Practical, Conservative Solutions
To address this crisis, Utah must adopt a multi-faceted, conservative approach that focuses on free-market principles, reducing government interference, and prioritizing local communities.
1. Zoning Reform for Increased Supply
Utah must ease restrictive zoning laws to encourage the development of affordable housing. Local governments should revise outdated ordinances that limit the construction of multi-family housing or accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Texas provides a successful example: its cities, such as Houston, have relatively minimal zoning regulations, resulting in a more affordable housing market【1】【2】.
2. Incentives for Local Builders
Rather than relying on large, out-of-state developers, Utah should incentivize local builders who understand the community’s needs. Offering tax credits or grants to these builders can help create housing that meets local demand without inflating prices.
3. Push Back Against Socialist Policies
Rent control and similar policies have proven to worsen housing shortages in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Utah legislators must remain vigilant against efforts to import such policies. Instead, focus on enabling market-driven solutions that reward innovation and efficiency【3】.
4. Limit Taxation and Regulation
Excessive taxes and environmental regulations, a hallmark of California’s housing failures, must be avoided. Streamlining the approval process for new developments and reducing permitting costs will allow builders to deliver homes more quickly and at lower prices【4】.
5. Preserve Utah’s Conservative Culture
Finally, Utah must assert its identity as a conservative, family-oriented state. Educating newcomers about Utah’s values—including personal responsibility, community involvement, and faith—can help integrate them into our culture rather than allowing them to erode it.
Personal Reflections
As someone who once embraced socialism, I understand the allure of policies that promise equality and fairness. However, my journey—from being a vegan, socialist Democrat to a conservative Christian—has taught me that socialism consistently fails in practice. California is a living example of this failure: skyrocketing homelessness, unaffordable housing, and fleeing middle-class families.
Utah has a unique opportunity to resist these trends and provide a model for conservative housing solutions. By relying on free-market principles, reducing government interference, and preserving our values, we can ensure that Utah remains an affordable and desirable place to live for generations to come.
Citations
Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. “Utah’s Demographic and Housing Trends.”
https://gardner.utah.eduGyourko, Joseph, and Raven Molloy. “Regulation and Housing Supply.” National Bureau of Economic Research.
https://nber.org/papers/w20536Montgomery, Mark. “The Consequences of Rent Control: Lessons from California.” Cato Institute.
https://cato.org/publicationsBallotpedia. “California Housing Crisis: Causes and Solutions.”
https://ballotpedia.org
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