Housing Debate: Myth vs Fact

Using Data to Ground the Housing Debate

Arizona’s housing shortage has sparked debate about its causes, with competing narratives and myths pointing to a variety of factors. The goal of this website is to bring facts, data, and credible resources into the conversation. By challenging common myths with evidence, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of the housing challenges facing Arizona and help identify practical paths forward.

The website will bring together federal, state, and local data on housing supply, affordability, and the factors shaping our nation’s housing challenges. It will also connect visitors with resources from all levels of government to support informed discussions, thoughtful policy decisions, and meaningful solutions.

Our goal is simple: replace assumptions with evidence and help Arizona move toward solutions that address its housing challenges.

Arizona Housing 101: Misconceptions about affordable housing

The Arizona Department of Housing indicated that 270,000 housing units are needed statewide based on 2020 data.
Discover how AZ cities and towns are addressing the demand to fulfill the needs of their communities

Housing Data

Federal, State, and Local Housing Data to better understand the challenges that our communities face.

Resources for Cities and Towns: Funding and Grant Opportunities

Federal and State Funding Opportunities for Cities and Towns.

Resources for Homebuyers & Renters

A wide variety of resources for homebuyers and renters from home loans to family assistance.

Housing in Arizona – State Policy Review

Since 2023 the Legislature has passed a dozen measures addressing housing in Arizona.

Myth: “Arizona has a shortage of 270,000 houses”

SB 1162 housing need deficiency 126,800 units.

During the 56th Legislature, Second Regular Session, Senate Bill 1162 was passed with bipartisan support and signed by Governor Hobbs. Among the bill’s many provisions is a requirement of cities with populations greater than 30,000 to publish housing needs assessments every five years. (published here by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns) Additionally, those municipalities must annually submit housing production and planning data to the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), with the Department compiling these reports for submission to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House.

Objective was to use consistent data sources and a standardized, repeatable method for all cities, using the most current publicly available data.
Respects AZ OEO state population and housing estimates for the base year.
Outreach and coordination with ADOH, the State Demographer, MPOs and cities. Additionally, with bill’s sponsor, AZ Multifamily Housing Association (MFHA).
Expert input provided by Dr. Arthur Nelson, Professor Emeritus, University of Arizona and Jeff Tayman, Retired Research Director and Lecturer Emeritus, UCSD.

READ THE REPORT HERE

Myth: “Arizona stopped building homes”

Annual housing construction has increased 5-fold since 2011

As the construction of new housing has increased so has the demand for new housing. The real question is “affordability”, since many of the construction projects are for “luxury apartments” with rents that might be priced out of means of many young professionals who are relocating into Arizona’s cities and towns for employment opportunities.

Housing in Arizona - State Policy Review

Since 2023 the Legislature has passed a dozen measures addressing housing in Arizona

Administrative approvals (Laws 2023, Ch. 1) – Authorized general law cities to administratively approve various steps in the housing process, expediting approval timelines.
Adaptive Reuse Policy for Cities (Laws 2024, Ch. 141) – Mandated an commercial conversion policy in Arizona’s largest cities and towns.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policy for Cities (Laws 2024, Ch. 196) – Mandated an ADU policy for cities and towns 75,000 or larger.
Middle housing Policy for Cities (Laws 2024, Ch. 197) – Mandated a policy for cities and towns 75,000 or larger to foster multi-plex and townhome development.
Zoning Shot-Clock for Cities (Laws 2024, Ch. 172) – Requires cities and towns to approve to an administratively complete zoning application within 180 days.

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