Layton Consolidated Plan

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2000 Community Development Block Grant Executive Summary (Amended)

General

The Layton City Community Development Department has developed this plan in coordination with the City's Economic Development Office, the City Council, the Davis County Housing Authority, the State of Utah, and the Wasatch Front Regional Council. Through newspaper public notices and articles, the City has advertised regarding the development of this plan and has received input during informal meetings, public hearings, phone calls and written comments from residents.

Housing and Income Characteristics

The Consolidated Plan describes the city's estimated housing needs projected for the ensuing five-year period. The cost of housing continues to increase. For the majority of Layton's residents, housing opportunities are available. The median Annual Family Income for the Davis County area is $53,400.

Layton continues to attract people because of the proximity of major employment centers. A major goal of Layton City is to have more people live and work in Layton. This can be accomplished by creating household-sustaining jobs for low-income persons. There are a significant number of people who are underemployed due to the service nature of many of the jobs available. The unemployment rate is low, usually below 4%. Many of the jobs, however, are lower paying without much opportunity for advancement.

Low Income and Racial/Ethnic Concentrations

Lower income residents in Layton are centered around the historic center of the city in older neighborhoods and in older public and private multiple family housing units. Layton has a very small minority population (7.3%) that is spread over the entire community.

Current Housing

Layton City includes a broad range of housing types, including single-family detached and attached dwellings, mobile homes, and apartments. Within these categories there is also a range of sizes and costs. According to the 1990 Census, 76% of the housing in Layton City has been built since 1970 and 49% has been built since 1980. 2000 housing estimates indicate that 82% of the housing units in Layton City have been built since 1970 and 62% since 1980.

The amount of new housing constructed over the last several years has resulted in a relatively new housing stock in Layton City. The 1990 census reveals that there are 13,462 housing units in the city. This total number of housing units has increased to an estimated 16,585 in 1996 and 19,166 in 2000.

Vacancies

Vacancies are important in assessing the housing market as they provide important housing choices for buyers and renters. The 1990 U.S. Census gave an overall vacancy rate of 5.40% for Layton.

Regulatory Barriers to Housing

An initial evaluation has found relatively little in the way of regulatory barriers to housing.

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing

Personal income in the area remains somewhat low. Compared to other parts of the country, Utah family size is typically larger than average. Credit worthiness or qualifications for rental properties is probably one of the largest barriers to fair housing choice.

In order to preserve existing moderate-income housing stock, the City will continue to provide a variety of single family and multi-family zoning districts where moderate-income housing units are allowed. The City will also continue to encourage Planned Residential Unit Developments with density bonuses. The City is committed to provide a choice of housing types and locations for all people.

Economic Development Needs

Because of Layton's geographic location, most of its economic development has been service and retail oriented. The Old Downtown area has experienced some economic obsolescence as newer more vibrant commercial areas have emerged throughout the City.

Summary

Layton City has handled the major growth over the past few years with outstanding success. The City is poised to continue in the same direction. New attention is being placed on Affordable Housing and the revitalization of the Old Downtown area in order to keep the City in the position of leading the way.