Gov. Spencer Cox has appointed former state lawmaker Steve Waldrip to spearhead his recently announced initiative to build 35,000 new starter home in Utah by 2028. Waldrip will serve in the role of senior advisor to Cox for Housing Strategy and Innovation, a new position dedicated to developing a statewide housing plan and leading efforts to increase housing stock in Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY – Gov. Spencer Cox has appointed a “housing czar” to spearhead his recently announced initiative to build 35,000 new starter home in Utah by 2028.
Former state lawmaker Steve Waldrip will serve in the role of senior advisor to Cox for Housing Strategy and Innovation, a new position dedicated to developing a statewide housing plan and leading efforts to increase housing stock in Utah.
“Today’s shortage of housing puts homeownership out of reach for too many Utahns and presents an existential threat to Utah’s future,” Cox said, after announcing Waldrip’s appointment.
“Steve has a passion for housing and deep experience in housing attainability, housing development and the legislative process,” the governor added. “He’s respected across the board.”
Waldrip has extensive experience in real estate development, law and government operations in public and private partnerships.
For the past 11 years, he’s been a partner and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Homes Fund, which focuses on providing working professionals in the middle class with homeownership opportunities.
Waldrip also serves on the boards of United Way Northern Utah and Ogden Valley Land Trust. He served as chair of the Utah Commission on Housing Affordability and continues to serve on that commission.
A former state legislator, Waldrip served in the Utah House representing the North Salt Lake area from 2019 to 2022.
In addition to his public service, Waldrip previously oversaw leasing and new development for the Business Depot Ogden (BDO) project, helping to manage a 6.5 million square foot portfolio that included the construction of 2 million square feet of new industrial space. He also managed construction and development of 250,000 square feet of commercial/office buildings.
Waldrip’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University; a law degree from the University of Utah; and a Master of Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law.
The news of Waldrip’s appointment to the new housing post came close on the heels of Cox announcement of his proposed budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2025 earlier this week.
Among those priorities, Cox has proposed that the Legislature allocate $150 million to achieve the goal of constructing 35,000 new starter homes throughout the state.
Under the governor’s Utah First Homes initiative, Cox hopes to achieve that goal by providing new funds for infrastructure; help for homebuyers through grants and sweat equity programs; innovative funding incentives; and more.
As proposed by Cox, the state’s new housing initiative would include $50 million for first-time homebuyers assistance; $75 million to expand the State Infrastructure Bank specifically for housing projects; and $25 million to boost starter home innovation and construction projects.
“Housing gives individuals stability and builds community,” said Waldrip, accepting the housing post.
“I applaud Gov. Cox’s vision to increase housing and expand innovation. I’m honored to join with him in doing everything I can to help make homeownership a real possibility for our children and grandchildren.”
“I’m so grateful that Steve’s willing to join our administration to work on these important issues,” the governor concluded.