TOOELE — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox spent part of his morning in Tooele on Monday volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, joining dozens of community members helping build homes for future homeowners.

About 60 volunteers, including members of the governor’s staff, took part in the effort, split between morning and afternoon crews. The group focused on landscaping work at four Habitat for Humanity homes across the city.

City leaders, homeowners and community members also joined the project, with roughly 100 people participating throughout the day.

Cox highlighted Utah’s ongoing housing challenges, pointing to affordability concerns across the state.

“The truth is, only about 9% of renters in this state can afford a house. Most people that own a home right now can’t buy that home,” Cox said.

He also emphasized the need for more housing development and hands-on efforts like Habitat projects.

“We need more houses, and we’re working on three houses today. So we got the entire team from the governor’s office out here that have shovels, wheelbarrows, we got a lot of work to do,” he said.

Tooele Mayor Maresa Manzione said the city is working to manage rapid growth while ensuring housing remains accessible for future generations.

“Bring more housing here at a rate that’s more sustainable to our residents and community. Not just growth for growth, but to have something here so that our kids can come back and live here and be near grandma and grandpa,” Manzione said.

Habitat for Humanity leaders say volunteer efforts like this help move future homeowners closer to achieving their goals of homeownership.

The lieutenant governor is also expected to join volunteers for a separate team effort in Tooele.