SALT LAKE CITY – A new program to help more Utahns achieve homeownership was announced at the Utah State Capitol today. The Utah Workforce Housing Priority, an effort from Ivory Homes, Utah’s Number One Homebuilder®, is focused on assisting professions that provide a public service and first-time homebuyers. The program, taking place outside any government obligation, reserves the most affordable homes for critical members of Utah’s workforce. 

“In a climate of increasing housing prices and affordability challenges, we have a duty to those serving our communities and to assist them in becoming homeowners,” said Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes. “We are committed to helping address Utah’s housing affordability challenges by supporting our educators, public safety professionals, veterans, members of our military, and the construction tradespeople that build our homes.”

Utahns whose careers are centered around public service and first-time homebuyers can sign up on the priority list at ivoryhomes.com/workforcehousing. Individuals on the priority list will then be queued for the next available home in the area they desire.

“Utah’s economy is built on a collaborative and enterprising spirit,” said Governor Gary R. Herbert, “I’m proud to see our private-sector come up with innovative approaches to ensure those who make our communities great can afford to call them home.”

Those on the Utah Workforce Housing Priority list will be given preference for more than 150 lots in 19 different cities that will be available this year. In addition to priority access to these homes, Ivory Homes will also be providing landscaping and giving $2,000 towards closing costs or options, such as washer and dryer, refrigerator, window coverings.

This effort comes as a recent report from the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute noted how extremely limited housing choices are for teachers and public safety employees. For instance, the report estimated that only 8.8% of housing options in 2017 were affordable to a first-year public school teacher or a similar public service professional.

Ivory Homes’ Utah Workforce Priority program seeks to enhance and maintain the quality of life in our communities and neighborhoods as we work to preserve affordability in the state of Utah. More information can be found at  ivoryhomes.com/workforcehousing. 

To view a full FAQ of the program, click here.