Building on ongoing efforts to address the full spectrum of housing needs in Cache County, this community-based survey will explore the viability and appeal of middle-income housing programs, particularly sweat-equity models (i.e. owner-builder programs) for families earning between $80,000 and $125,000 annually (100%-150% of AMI).
While considerable attention has been focused on affordable housing for low-income populations, Cache County’s middle-income households are similarly priced out of the housing market, with median home listing prices at nearly $500,000 as of December 2025 (1). These families often earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing programs but too little to purchase market-rate homes, leaving them in a precarious housing gap. At present, the monthly costs on a $500k home would be approximately $3,300 (2). For a median income household, this would put their housing cost burden at 47%, nearing severe cost burden (3). Conversely, monthly costs for a 3-bedroom apartment rent are closer to $1,600 and a 3-bedroom house closer to $1,900, reflecting a 24% and 28% cost burden respectively, under the federally recommended 33%. While renting meets the needs of some households, this middle income group is essentially relegated to renting and their long-term prospects for building wealth and finances are significantly limited over time.
If successful, such a program could relieve pressure on lower-cost housing stock by allowing middle-income earners to access housing that better matches their financial situation. By assessing community interest in this approach, this project will help inform program design and guide NNHC’s local housing strategy in addressing this critical but often overlooked segment of the housing continuum.
Study Team
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jess Lucero jessica.lucero@usu.edu
Lead Student Researcher: Rachel Didericksen
Refrences
1National Association of Realtors. (2025, December). Cache County, UT housing market report - home values, rents, & inventory trends: Realtor.com. Cache County, UT Housing Market Report. https://www.realtor.com/local/market/utah/cache-county
2Ezeokeke, C. (2025, July 23). How much is a mortgage on a $500k house?. Redfin. https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-much-is-a-mortgage-on-a-500k-house/
3U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (n.d.). Chas: Background. HUD User. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/cp/CHAS/bg_chas.html
4Rentometer, Inc. (n.d.). Average Rent in Cache County. Rentometer. https://www.rentometer.com/average-rent-in/county/cache-county-ut