Homeownership is a Key Component to Strong Economic Growth and Stability

Homeownership

is a Key Component to Strong Economic Growth and Stability

By Mari Krashowetz, Executive Officer, Southern Utah Home Builders Association

Just a few short years ago, the nation experienced a crash in the housing market followed by an economic downturn that had a great impact on us all. One of the most important lessons learned from this experience was that housing is vital to a strong economy, not only in the southern Utah area but throughout the United States. As our area currently faces a crisis in housing affordability and attainability, it is vital that all sectors of business, industry, and government come together as community partners to recognize, address, and solve these problems. The local economic impact of home building moves through every sector of the community, providing a rippling effect of benefits that include: • higher paying construction jobs. • more tax revenue for infrastructure and schools. • increased employment opportunities throughout the supply chain. • improved quality of life through owner-occupied homes that add stability and security to our neighborhoods. Homeownership builds wealth, stabilizes communities, and supports local economies.

The greatest challenge with housing today is the lack of attainable or affordable housing. Attainable housing is adequate, affordable housing for all ages and income levels. This impacts our children and grandchildren, newly married couples, college students, seniors on a fixed income, police officers, teachers, and service workers.

Builders and landowners cannot solve the housing crisis alone. Municipalities that approve zoning requirements and charge impact fees cannot solve this issue. The construction labor force or building supply companies cannot solve this issue. We must come together; everyone needs to give a little in order to make progress towards resolving this challenge or our economy will eventually suffer. The Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUHBA) is working with local leaders, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to help develop more attainable housing options that will benefit future generations in our community. Through public-private partnerships and the support of all stakeholders working together as a community, we can find solutions for problems facing our families today. One huge aspect of the attainable housing challenge is the lack of highpaying jobs in Washington County. We need to support economic plans that not only encourage existing businesses to expand but also attract new businesses that will provide wages to meet increasing housing costs. Housing prices are based on supply and demand. Many costs cannot be controlled. It is vital we attract businesses to our area that are willing to pay above-average wages. The St. George area is now on the map, and many people desire to live here. Let’s support a strong economic development plan that will attract highpaying jobs. One housing idea that could be explored and utilized as a solution to the area’s attainable housing shortage would be “missing middle housing.” Missing middle housing is a range of house-scale buildings with multiple units that includes duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, and multiplexes. These housing units are compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes, allowing density to be crafted on a scale that blends into existing neighborhoods.

As another part of the attainable housing solution, SUHBA has partnered with the Housing Action Coalition (HAC), a group of community and municipal stakeholders working collaboratively to create more attainable housing for Washington County residents. SUHBA recently designated financial resources to support a project currently underway to validate opportunities through construction and financing innovation. SUHBA representatives also work with cities to adapt zoning requirements to support more affordable housing. This collaborative effort was exemplified when the City of St. George revised their Title 10 Zoning Regulations to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs), providing more available housing and a revenue stream for existing homeowners. Additionally, changes to zoning requirements to allow for higher density construction are bringing housing costs down and supplying more available housing. Nonprofit organizations in the southern Utah area are also working to provide affordable housing. Over many years, SUHBA has been a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity. SUHBA also partners with the Washington County School District to support their construction program. Students have built homes—sold to school district employees—that have been featured in the St. George Area Parade of Homes. This program has grown significantly in the past three years, and over sixty students are learning important skills necessary for future careers in construction. A new home is currently under construction by high school students and will be featured in the 2022 St. George Area Parade of Homes. It is important that the members of the community recognize these nonprofit agencies and demonstrate their support so that these programs can continue to provide families with affordable housing. SUHBA supports the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School being built in Washington County. Not only will students graduate with diplomas, they will also receive industry standard certificates to give them a leg up on their careers. Along with construction programs at Dixie Technical College, these programs are addressing the labor shortage in the construction industry. In the last five years, SUHBA has donated over $50,000 to Dixie Technical College to develop and expand construction courses. These are examples of ways we can work together as community partners to make an impact and address the attainable housing shortage in Washington County. As we work together to address this issue and to provide more attainable housing in our area, our local economy will thrive. Homeownership is a cornerstone of American life. As we build homes, we are enriching our communities and changing lives for the better.

Mari Krashowetz, Executive Officer for the Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUHBA), has been employed by SUHBA for 21 years. SUHBA is a trade association representing 670 home building industry-related businesses in Washington County, Utah. She oversees the daily SUHBA operations, coordinates the annual St. George Area Parade of Homes, manages the education program, directs the Southern Utah Home Builders Care Foundation, and handles the Government Affairs program to help keep housing a priority in our area. In 2017, the St. George Area Parade of Homes received an award as the Best Parade of Homes in the Nation (National Association of Home Builders) and in 2020 and 2021, they received the Best of Southern Utah Annual Event award.

Mari is currently serving on the Dixie Technical College Board of Directors, the St. George Area Economic Development Council, and the Washington County Housing Attainability Committee. She is married to Tony Krashowetz, and together they have eleven children (including a set of triplets) and six grandchildren. Her family is most important to her and the joy in her life. She loves living in beautiful southern Utah.