LEHI — State and local leaders gathered in Lehi on Thursday for the grand opening of the Holbrook Farms community and a new Rippy Literacy Center satellite campus, a project they say addresses two of Utah’s biggest challenges — housing affordability and childhood literacy.
Governor Spencer Cox joined Ivory Innovations and other community partners for a ribbon cutting at the development, which combines affordable workforce housing with expanded educational support for children in west Lehi.
The Holbrook Farms-Innovation Park community includes 239 rental homes designed for workforce families. According to organizers, rents for units targeted at 60% area median income start at $1,231 for a one-bedroom and $1,710 for a three-bedroom townhome.
Addressing declining statewide reading skills
Leaders with Ivory Innovations described the effort as a response to what they call declining academic performance statewide, especially in early reading skills.
“We’re currently in a learning recession,” said Christine Ivory, president of the Clark & Christine Ivory Foundation. “Only one out of two third graders is reading at or above a third grade level.”
Rising costs and economic concerns
Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes and co-founder of Ivory Innovations, also pointed to Utah’s rising housing costs as a major concern, noting the state ranks among the 10 most expensive in the country. He said the governor has made affordability a priority.
Importance of early childhood education
Governor Cox also emphasized the connection between education and Utah’s long-term future.
“Our kids and grandkids are going to have a place to live,” Cox said. “But if we don’t have an educated people… all of the things we talked about just disappear. That’s why reading at third grade is so important.”
Expanding tutoring access for families
The new literacy center expands the reach of the Rippy Literacy Center, which provides free tutoring services for elementary students. The satellite campus is intended to improve access for families in west Lehi.
Organizers say the project brings housing and education together in one location in an effort to support Utah families facing rising costs and academic challenges.
Read more: Utah’s housing crisis: new projects tackling affordability
