Governor Cox’s Housing Summit: Urgent Call for Affordable Homes in Utah
At the recent “Built Here” housing summit held at the Governor’s Mansion, Utah Governor Spencer Cox challenged local officials to play a crucial role in realizing his ambitious goal of constructing 35,000 starter homes by 2028. While addressing representatives from 48 municipalities, Cox emphasized collaboration over criticism, stating, "It was about sharing good ideas… Understanding that the very future of our state hangs in the balance here."
Despite the urgency, only 5,000 starter homes have been built since the launch of the “Utah First Homes” initiative in December 2023. The governor highlighted ongoing efforts to enable “starter condo” projects to access a $300 million public loan fund for builders, aimed at increasing housing availability.
The summit introduced a new statewide housing dashboard, designed to provide data on housing affordability and permit approvals across Utah counties. Clearfield Mayor Mark Shepherd acknowledged the housing crisis and the effort cities are making to improve it, noting more than 4,000 housing units built or in development in his city over the past five years. “It takes time and can be costly,” Shepherd stated, urging for continued support from the state.
Spanish Fork Mayor Mike Mendenhall echoed this sentiment, affirming a shared passion among mayors to address housing shortages pragmatically. However, discussions revealed a political challenge: the difficulty in balancing local control with the need for increased housing density.
Governor Cox, recognizing these tensions, expressed empathy toward local leaders navigating these complexities while urging immediate action. His senior housing adviser, Steve Waldrip, noted the new housing dashboard could serve as both a guide and a motivator for local officials, emphasizing that no one at the summit disagreed on the need for urgent solutions. As Utah continues to grapple with housing challenges, the focus remains on cooperative efforts to enhance affordability for first-time buyers.
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