Gov. Cox’s starter home goal may face roadblocks, builder says

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s no secret that Utah has a housing shortage. Last Thursday, Gov. Spencer Cox reiterated the need for building and touted the state’s goal to build 35,000 starter homes before he leaves office in four years.

Is that possible? One Utah builder says yes, but it won’t be easy.

“We have the drive and the ability to do that, so long as we don’t run into those roadblocks,” said Ross Ford, executive vice president for the Home Builders Association of Utah.

Ford said they run into a lot of permit problems from cities during the building process. Some of those problems include lot sizes and building requirements that don’t match up with the starter home size or price point.

“There will be a city or a county or some sort of ordinance that says, ‘No, we don’t want that particular product in this area,” said Ford.

Related: Utah lawmakers seek collaboration with cities to create affordable housing

Or, builders will run into inspection delays and other red tape during the building process which push the price of the home higher.

“As that happens, that time ticks off — every day that ticks off — there is an added cost to that home because somebody’s paying interest. Those delays cost money.”

Lawmakers and builders are working toward solutions this legislative session. Ford said strict measures could be put into place, like blanket zoning.

“If you have property that meets this particular criteria, you could build houses at this density. And the city wouldn’t have the ability to stop that. Whether that becomes a reality or not, I don’t know. But in order to get some of the cities to cooperate, it may take that,” said Ford.