How the Utah Housing Preservation Fund’s mission supports families, strengthens communities, and builds a better future for Utah.
The Utah Housing Preservation Fund (UHPF) is proud to share a new slogan that reflects not only what we do, but why we do it:
Each phrase captures a core part of our work—from protecting the homes people live in today, to opening doors for future generations, to building a system of affordable housing that endures. Here's how our mission aligns with each part of this vision—and why it matters.
At UHPF, we preserve existing affordable housing—not just to maintain buildings, but to maintain the lives and communities rooted in them.
Across the country, thousands of affordable housing units are lost each year due to expiring subsidies, neglect, or conversion to market-rate housing. According to the National Housing Preservation Database, more than 300,000 federally assisted units are at risk of loss by 2025. Homes are the core of livelihood. When affordability is lost, so is the livelihood of families, seniors, and workers who rely on stable rents.
UHPF steps in to prevent that loss. By acquiring and preserving at-risk properties, we protect tenants from displacement and preserve long-term affordability. Without this intervention, low- and moderate-income renters often face steep rent hikes after acquisition by for-profit developers, leading to eviction or homelessness.
But the consequences of housing instability go far beyond housing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize housing stability as a key Social Determinant of Health (SDOH)—a factor that directly influences physical and mental health. When families experience forced moves or homelessness, it disrupts their access to medical care, employment, education, and community networks.
On the other hand, stable, affordable housing leads to better health outcomes, stronger educational continuity for children, and improved economic resilience. In short, preserving housing is about more than keeping a roof overhead. It’s about ensuring that families remain connected to the resources and relationships that allow them to thrive.
It’s about stability today—for families, neighborhoods, and Utah’s future.
At UHPF, we believe housing should serve as a springboard—providing the foundation for families to achieve economic mobility, wellness, and self-reliance.
Investing in partnerships and programs that unlock opportunity for our residents is one way we support them. For example, through our collaboration with Esusu tenants can build or improve their credit by reporting on-time rent payments—an important step toward greater financial health.
At properties like Monaco Apartments in Millcreek, we’ve partnered with Project Access to provide on-site resident services including after-school support, employment resources, food distribution, and health workshops. These services are tailored to support several key social determinants of health, such as economic stability, educational access, and social connection.
By working with nonprofits and service providers, we help ensure that the families living in preserved housing have access not just to shelter, but to tools for long-term success.
We’re also intentional about where we invest. Drawing on the work of economist Raj Chetty and the team at Opportunity Insights, we use the Opportunity Atlas to identify neighborhoods that offer the greatest upward mobility for children in low-income households.
Research shows that children who grow up in high-opportunity areas—those with good schools, lower crime, and better job access—have significantly higher lifetime earnings and health outcomes. UHPF uses this data to ensure that we are not only preserving affordability, but doing so in places where families have the best chance to succeed.
That’s what we mean by opportunity tomorrow—because when families have access to housing in the right places, and the support they need, their future changes.
What makes UHPF’s model different is its permanence. Unlike many investment funds that sunset after a few years, the Utah Housing Preservation Fund is evergreen—designed to operate and preserve affordability in perpetuity.
This long-term vision is made possible by a unique mix of public and private capital, and a trusted nonprofit management team from Utah Non Profit Housing Corporation (UNPHC). Together, we’ve created a fund that doesn’t just respond to today’s needs, but plans for tomorrow’s demands.
Our model is sustainable. As the Fund grows, so does its impact. Already, UHPF has preserved more than 1,000 units of affordable housing across the state. Collectively, tenants in these homes save over $4.5 million annually compared to market-rate rents—and that number will continue to rise.
By keeping rents affordable and units in good condition for the long term, we’re protecting Utah from the escalating costs of housing insecurity. We're reducing strain on health and social systems, supporting workforce retention, and helping communities maintain their character and diversity.
This is housing that lasts—built on a foundation of collaboration, stewardship, and a deep commitment to Utah families.
The Utah Housing Preservation Fund is made possible by a coalition of forward-thinking partners—healthcare systems, banks, foundations, public agencies, and community leaders—who understand that housing is health, housing is opportunity, and housing is the future.
We invite you to join us in this work. Together, we can provide stability today, opportunity tomorrow, and housing that lasts—for everyone in Utah.