Arizona housing bills recap

Housing affordability remains a top concern for Arizona voters, according to recent polling. Home prices and rent surged during the pandemic, and although a construction boom has brought those prices down slightly, a large number of Arizonans remain frustrated over the high cost of living and support new housing development to reduce costs.

When asked to identify the most pressing issues facing the state, 40% of Arizona voters ranked affordable housing among their top three concerns; 28% have considered leaving the state over it.

Courtney LeVinus, President and CEO of Arizona Multi-Housing Association, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss which bills in the Arizona Legislature will make a difference and where lawmakers may have missed the mark.

LeVinus shared insight into House Bill 2447, which was signed earlier this year by Gov. Hobbs.

“House Bill 2447 that’s sponsored by Rep. Michael Carbone just seeks to expedite that planning, entitlement and zoning process by making portions of that process an administrative responsibility. So in other words, city staff can handle site plan reviews, final site plan plats,” LeVinus said.

She also explains what House Bill 2110 is aiming to do.

“Basically what this bill does is it allows commercial buildings, think of you know office space, retail, mixed use that is functionally, economically obsolete to be converted into multifamily. So you’re reinvigorating parts of neighborhoods that might be you know a little dilapidated, a little run down and you’re building much needed housing. The key is that you don’t go through the entitlement, rezoning process,” LeVinus said.

LeVinus also shared information about a failed bill that was referred to as the “Starter Homes Act”.

“This wasn’t a bill that Arizona Multi-housing Association weighed in on or got actively involved in because it’s more directed toward single family homes. But I will say probably, you know the key provision is we’re in, we’re in divided government right now. So it’s really important to negotiate and talk with Republicans and Democrats, and the League of Cities and Towns which we did in our case to make sure that you’re meeting the needs of the various stakeholders,” LeVinus said.