A row of homes soak in a sunset in West Haven in Weber County. The state has formed a Division of Housing and Community Development, hoping to see a boost in homebuilding in Utah. (Brice Wallace/Salt Lake Business Journal)
A new state government organization is in place to tackle Utah's housing crisis.
The Division of Housing and Community Development, created by HB68 during the 2026 legislative general session, is officially in place within the Governor's Office of Economic Development. The division is charged with coordinating statewide housing programs and will back Gov. Spencer Cox's push for more homebuilding.
The division will be led by Steve Waldrip, who will continue serving as senior advisor for housing strategy to Cox while assuming the additional responsibilities of state housing coordinator.
Steve Waldrip
"Housing and economic opportunity are inseparable," Waldrip said. "By bringing housing policy, programs and investments together under one roof, we can better support communities across Utah as they address local housing needs and advance the governor's ambitious goals, including the governor's goal of facilitating the construction of 35,000 starter homes for Utah families."
As state housing coordinator, Waldrip will oversee Utah's statewide housing strategy, coordinate housing-related programs and investments, and help ensure state housing initiatives align with broader economic and community development goals in alignment with the "Utah Elevated" economic development plan.
State government officials believe housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing Utah, affecting economic competitiveness, workforce recruitment, and families' ability to live in the communities they call home. The new division aims to strengthen coordination among state agencies, local governments and private-sector partners as Utah works to expand housing opportunities throughout the state.
The thinking is, consolidating existing and new housing programs and initiatives under a single division should better align housing policy, economic development and state investments.
"Housing is foundational to opportunity," Cox said. "If young families, teachers, first responders and the people who keep our economy running can't afford to live in the communities they serve, our long-term prosperity is at risk.
"This new division will help us better align state resources, local partnerships and private-sector innovation so we can build more homes, strengthen our neighborhoods and keep the Utah dream within reach for the next generation."
Among the division's duties are to administer several major housing programs and funds, including the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund and the Economic Revitalization and Investment Fund. It will also support local communities through housing planning, technical assistance, and reporting on moderate-income housing.
The new division will also play a key role in implementing recent housing initiatives approved by the Legislature, including the $100 million State Housing Infrastructure Partnership Fund and its board, designed to help local communities finance infrastructure needed to support housing development.
"Utah's continued economic success depends on our ability to ensure housing opportunities keep pace with our momentum," said Jefferson Moss, GOED commissioner. "Aligning housing and community development efforts within GOED will strengthen coordination across state government and help communities make strategic investments that support both economic prosperity and long-term quality of life."
