© 2024 KPCW

KPCW
Spencer F. Eccles Broadcast Center
PO Box 1372 | 460 Swede Alley
Park City | UT | 84060
Office: (435) 649-9004 | Studio: (435) 655-8255

Music & Artist Inquiries: music@kpcw.org
News Tips & Press Releases: news@kpcw.org
Volunteer Opportunities
General Inquiries: info@kpcw.org
Listen Like a Local Park City & Heber City Summit & Wasatch counties, Utah
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Task Force Tackles Housing For J-1 Workers

Christian Center of Park City

Housing options at a reasonable price can be difficult to find for anyone who works in the Park City area. For international workers, it can be nearly impossible. A new group is working to help students with J-1 visas find somewhere to live for the season.

The Christian Center of Park City, in partnership with Mountainlands Community Housing Trust, Park City Municipal, Summit County and employers, private citizens and student sponsor agencies, have formed a group called the International Student Housing Task Force. The task force encourages locals with room to spare to rent out space to one or more international students at an accessible rate for the winter season.

Christian Center Programming Director Pete Stoughton says the task force is interested in creating a network for renters and landlords that’s safe and reliable for everyone. Part of that means providing a framework for landlords to communicate with their short-term tenants, and another part is about making sure students’ parents know they’re secure.

“We have Mountainlands Housing who has really helped with the rental forms and helped with kind of the whole process that you would want to prevent problems, to set up clear communication, as well as Mountain Mediation, ,the sponsors and the parents of these international students," Stoughton said. "So that when we do run into, 'hey, you're smoking, and we have a no smoking policy, let's meet and talk about this,' because we want families to be a part of this program for many years.”

Homeowners who are interested in participating in the program or hosting a student with a J-1 visa for a winter season can learn more at two upcoming information sessions—one on Tuesday, August 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Christian Center; and another Tuesday, September 3, from 6 to 7:30 pm, at Bill White’s Farm.

Emily Means hadn’t intended to be a journalist, but after two years of studying chemistry at the University of Utah, she found her fit in the school’s communication program. Diving headfirst into student media opportunities, Means worked as a host, producer and programming director for K-UTE Radio as well as a news writer and copy editor at The Daily Utah Chronicle.