Policy & Planning Innovation
Resources for planners, policymakers, and housing leaders to turn housing innovation into real-world solutions.
Quick Links:
The Little Book • INNOVATION Cohort • Ivory Prize Policy Winners • Research & Reports
The Little Book of Low-Cost, High-Impact Housing Solutions
Housing affordability challenges require practical solutions communities can implement today.
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The Little Book of Low-Cost, High-Impact Housing Solutions distills some of the most promising innovations in housing policy, construction, and finance into an actionable guide for city leaders, policymakers, and housing advocates.
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The solutions highlighted in the book help communities:
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• Expand housing supply
• Reduce construction costs
• Improve development timelines
• Enable more attainable housing options
Why?
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The most effective housing policies are local
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​Local housing policy change is hard
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Change works best with a strong local leader and champion
How?
By empowering Utah's municipal leadership to implement impactful housing policy solutions through:​
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A peer network and cohort model
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​Structured curriculum and coaching sessions
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Opportunity to share best practices and set policy agendas
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Guest visits from top innovators in the Ivory Prize network
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Distilling The Little Book into actionable training sessions
Utah Housing Innovation Cohort
Empowering local leaders to put housing ideas into action
In 2026, Ivory Innovations is launching a new suite of policy programs to implement the solutions outlined in The Little Book of Low-Cost, High-Impact Housing Solutions.
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The Utah Housing Innovation Cohort will equip local leaders with the tools, training, and peer support to make real progress on housing challenges.
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Program Format
8-week hybrid cohort, including:
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In-person, full-day kickoff
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​8 weeks
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1x 75 minute training session per week
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Optional weekly office hours
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Ongoing online community support​
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Up to 15 participants
Timeline
Summer 2026
March 31: Applications Open
April 17: Applications Close
April 30: Cohort Announced
May: Local leader onboarding
June 18: In-person kickoff
July-August: Cohort sessions
Cohort Overview
Week 1: Cohort Kick Off
Week 2: Housing 101
Understanding Your Housing Ecosystem
Week 3: Design 101
Simplify Design Standards
Week 4: Zoning 101
Plan for Smart Density
Week 5: Infill 101
Build Missing Middle Housing
Week 6: Regulatory Reform 101
Streamline Approval Processes
Week 7: Development Finance 101
Partner on Housing Solutions
Week 8: Wrap-Up
Implementation Plan
Who Should Apply?
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Mayors, City Councilors, Planning Commissioners and planners, community development directors, and local advocates ready to make housing more affordable in your city​
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Cities with a track record of pro-housing actions
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Utah designated Moderate Income Housing Plan (MIHP) cities
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Communities looking to expand missing middle, infill, and affordable housing stock
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Why?
-
The most effective housing policies are local
-
​Local housing policy change is hard
-
Change works best with a strong local leader and champion
How?
By empowering Utah's municipal leadership to implement impactful housing policy solutions through:​
-
A peer network and cohort model
-
​Structured curriculum and coaching sessions
-
Opportunity to share best practices and set policy agendas
-
Guest visits from top innovators in the Ivory Prize network
-
Distilling The Little Book into actionable training sessions
Utah Housing Innovation Cohort
Empowering local leaders to put housing ideas into action
In 2026, Ivory Innovations is launching a new suite of policy programs to implement the solutions outlined in The Little Book of Low-Cost, High-Impact Housing Solutions.
​
The Utah Housing Innovation Cohort will equip local leaders with the tools, training, and peer support to make real progress on housing challenges.
Program Format
8-week hybrid cohort, including:
-
In-person, full-day kickoff
-
​8 weeks
-
1x 75 minute training session per week
-
Optional weekly office hours
-
Ongoing online community support​
-
Up to 15 participants
Timeline
Summer 2026
March 31: Applications Open
April 17: Applications Close
April 30: Cohort Announced
May: Local leader onboarding
June 18: In-person kickoff
July-August: Cohort sessions
Cohort Overview
Week 1: Cohort Kick Off
Week 2: Housing 101
Understanding Your Housing Ecosystem
Week 3: Design 101
Simplify Design Standards
Week 4: Zoning 101
Plan for Smart Density
Week 5: Infill 101
Build Missing Middle Housing
Week 6: Regulatory Reform 101
Streamline Approval Processes
Week 7: Development Finance 101
Partner on Housing Solutions
Week 8: Wrap-Up
Implementation Plan
Who Should Apply?
-
Mayors, City Councilors, Planning Commissioners and planners, community development directors, and local advocates ready to make housing more affordable in your city​
-
Cities with a track record of pro-housing actions
-
Utah designated Moderate Income Housing Plan (MIHP) cities
-
Communities looking to expand missing middle, infill, and affordable housing stock
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Policy Innovation from Ivory Prize Winners
Ivory Innovations recognizes leading housing innovators each year through the Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability.
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Several past Prize winners and finalists are pioneering policy approaches that expand housing supply and remove barriers to development, including:
Research & Reports
Ivory Innovations publishes research and reports designed to help planners and policymakers understand and apply the most promising solutions to housing affordability. Discover the ideas shaping the future of housing:
