Note to readers •After this story was published, candidate Yussuf Abdi announced his intentions to withdraw from the race.
Three candidates are running for the Salt Lake City Council’s District 1 seat, which encompasses Rose Park, Westpointe, Jordan Meadows, Northpointe and a chunk of the Fairpark neighborhood.
Incumbent Victoria Petro is looking for a second consecutive term on the City Council. Stephen Otterstrom, a human resources consultant, and Yussuf Abdi, a Muslim community leader and tech business owner, are challenging her for the seat.
Salt Lake City is using ranked-choice voting to determine election winners this cycle. Voters will be able to rank the candidates based on their preferences and can rank all of them if they see fit.
The Salt Lake Tribune sent a survey to candidates in Salt Lake City’s Nov. 4 council races. Answers may be edited for style and clarity. Here’s how Petro, Otterstrom and Abdi responded, listed in alphabetical order by last name:
What do you believe is the top issue or challenge Salt Lake City faces right now? How would you address it?
Abdi: Salt Lake City’s top challenge is affordable housing. Many working families, refugees and young people can’t find safe homes within their budgets. I would work to expand affordable housing through city-owned land use, public-private partnerships and incentives for developers who build for low- and middle-income residents. I’d also support rent stabilization and programs that help families buy homes and build equity.
Otterstrom: Housing is the number one issue facing Salt Lake City. Failure to provide adequate housing impacts crime, traffic, homelessness, quality of life and much more. This failure hurts seniors, families, children, veterans and people with disabilities more than any other group. Powerful interests are unlikely to prioritize the vulnerable. Improving housing must focus on increasing alternative ownership structures that allow residents of all income levels — even renters — to own where they live. Learn more at StephenForSLC.com/issues.
Petro: The humanitarian crisis that is homelessness is detrimental for neighbors, both sheltered and unsheltered. I work with anyone I can to find viable solutions. It is important to describe the crisis in two stages: crisis stabilization and rehabilitation. Salt Lake City shoulders a large burden in both phases. Ideally, rehabilitation is regionalized, efficiently allocating resources and strategy. Current proposals for the campus are positive. However, they are inadequate because they won’t allow for diverse rehabilitative options.
What aspects of Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s public safety plan do you believe have been most effective at addressing the problem? What more needs to be done?
Abdi: Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s focus on community policing, mental health response teams and investment in safer neighborhoods has helped rebuild trust and reduce tension between residents and law enforcement. To build on that success, we need more culturally aware officers, youth engagement programs and deeper partnerships with local faith and community organizations so safety becomes a shared responsibility across Salt Lake City.
Otterstrom: I appreciate that the plan acknowledges that lack of housing is a key contributor to safety issues in Salt Lake City. Her plan does not adequately acknowledge that safety depends more on trust and transparency than on power and authority. The plan is strong on enforcement and low on prevention outside of efforts that were already being made. There is no mention of increasing trust with law enforcement through transparency and accountability. An example of this lack of focus is the fact that no quarterly report from the Police Civilian Review Board has been published since September 2022.
Petro: I think the plan in and of itself is important. It is the first attempt of any executive to codify roles and expectations for responding to public safety problems without deferring responsibility for it. I look forward to its continued refinement and implementation.
What steps can Salt Lake City take to make housing more affordable for residents?
Abdi: Salt Lake City can make housing more affordable by using city-owned land for mixed-income housing, streamlining permits for affordable developments and partnering with nonprofits and private builders. Expanding rent-to-own and first-time homebuyer programs can help families build stability. With smart zoning and community input, we can ensure every resident has a safe, dignified place to call home.
Otterstrom: Utah law prohibits rent control. The only way to help renters is by turning renters into owners. There are several alternative ownership models. The one with the most potential to make a fast, meaningful impact is the cooperative model. Renters form an association that purchases the complex — making every renter a shareholder and every shareholder a renter. It’s a proven model that builds community, creates wealth and works with all types of affordable housing units. HUD also offers financing for both conversions and new cooperative housing. Learn more at StephenForSLC.com/issues.
Petro: I am a huge advocate for shared-equity models that limit the cost per unit such as community land trusts. I would love to be more aggressive in using vacant parcels for housing that might only exist for three to five years, but offer affordable options while there is development going on.
Do you support a pay increase for members of the City Council?
Abdi: Yes.
Otterstrom: No.
Petro: Yes.
Do you support making the proposed Green Loop in Salt Lake City a budget priority?
Abdi: Yes.
Otterstrom: No.
Petro: Decline to answer.