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In a joint partnership named Call to Innovations, a ribbon cutting was held for affordable housing units in Lehi on Sept. 11, 2024.

Courtesy Call to Action Foundation

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The outside of completed units at Innovation Park at Holbrook Farms in Lehi is shown Sept. 11, 2024.

Courtesy Call to Action Foundation

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Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes, stands at a podium of front of a crowd during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Innovation Park at Holbrook Farms on Sept. 11, 2024.

Courtesy Call to Action Foundation

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Drew Maggelet, director of housing for the Call to Action Foundation, stands at a podium of front of a crowd during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Innovation Park at Holbrook Farms on Sept. 11, 2024.

Courtesy Call to Action Foundation

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Two charitable families are coming together in efforts to make housing more obtainable for individuals and families across Utah.

In September 2023, Ivory Homes and the Call to Action Foundation announced plans to build 850 affordable housing units over the next three years, through a new partnership.

The ambitious plan is being spearheaded by Clark Ivory, founder of Ivory Innovations, and Crystal Maggelet, founder of the Call to Action Foundation, who both are said to be dedicated to a promise of increased housing affordability in Utah. “We are grateful to have a partner who shares our vision of providing thousands of affordable homes for Utah families,” said Ivory, who’s also the CEO of Ivory Homes.

The developments encompassing townhomes, condos and apartments will be built in communities throughout the state, including Lehi.

Last month, leaders cut the ribbon on the first of multiple leasing projects, Innovation Park at Holbrook Farms, which eventually will be a 240-unit townhome community in Lehi.

Sitting in the northwest corner of Ivory Homes’ Holbrook Farms subdivision, occupants will be within close proximity of Interstate 15, the soon-to-be-built Mountain View Corridor Freeway as well as the new Primary Children’s Hospital campus.

A single occupant or growing family can find one-, two- or three-bedroom options with two-car garages.

The townhomes aim to serve those earning between 50% and 80% of the annual median income for Utah County. Rents can range from just under $1,000 to a little over $2,000 a month depending on the unit size and a tenant’s income level, a press release stated.

Utility bills are projected to be lower than average, as the units are all-electric, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

“Lehi is at the heart of the fastest-growing region in Utah. As such, we saw an acute need to ensure affordable housing was being built along with all of the new housing so that essential workers could afford to live and grow with the community,” said Drew Maggelet, director of housing for the Call to Action Foundation.

Earlier this year, Gov. Spencer Cox visited an undeveloped Lehi neighborhood not far from Holbrook Farms to vocalize the state’s efforts to provide relief for future homebuyers.

Those involved in the Call to Innovations partnership say their plan to develop nearly 1,000 affordable housing units is one way of aligning with the governor’s efforts.

“We are thrilled to have fully funded this project through 100% private contributions from our two operating foundations. This unique partnership allows us to address an urgent need for affordable housing. By collaborating with city and state funding sources for future projects, we believe we can achieve an even greater impact,” Maggelet said.

For tenants planning for the future, Maggelet said they are looking at programs that could help families save up for a future down payment or other home-related expense.

In fast-growing Lehi, among other areas in Utah County where populations are exploding, leading to more demand for housing, Maggelet said any production of affordable housing is a big deal on its own as it provides relief to local residents and the broader market.

But this project in particular marks a milestone of two organizations using their resources to help better the lives of Utahns.

“It represents the first building and project opening by the Call to Action Foundation and Ivory Innovations Foundation as a part of the Call to Innovations partnership. It shows charitable families can come together to create sustainable affordable housing without going through more complex avenues such as tax credits,” Maggelet told the Daily Herald.

While the Sept. 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated only a handful of units ready for lease, Maggelet said additional units are anticipated to come online each month as completion of the buildings progresses.

Aside from the 240 housing units, the site will include a tutoring center for the greater Lehi community.

Innovation Park at Holbrook Farms is located at 2601 N. Ferguson Drive in Lehi.