As inflation continues to raise the price of everything from gas to groceries to medicines, one thing in particular has a disproportionate impact on our state’s rising costs: housing.
Access to affordable housing is essential for building long-term prosperity, our workforce, and building strong families to ensure our kids receive a quality education. Today, the accessibility of home ownership is slipping further and further out of reach for too many. Arizona’s homelessness crisis has become a repudiation of our state’s public policies. Since 2014, the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased by nearly 500%. Governor Hobbs’ first job after she got her degree in social work was working with homeless youth in Phoenix. So she understands how complex this problem is.
Whether it’s the rising cost of rent or homeownership, the lack of affordable housing, or the homelessness crisis, our leaders must tackle this challenge in a methodical, forward-looking, and compassionate manner. That’s why Governor Hobbs has a comprehensive plan to address these crucial issues.
Governor Hobbs will bring community leaders, housing advocates, local governments, and our legislature together to:
Empower local communities to build more affordable housing.
Cut needless bureaucracy and unleash American innovation.
Protect Arizonans and address core reasons for rising housing costs.
Address the homelessness crisis in a comprehensive manner.
Lower costs for renters and homeowners.
The only way we can achieve the goal of making Arizona the best place to live, work, and raise a family is by working together. A “one-size-fits-all” mandate that treats all communities the same doesn’t make sense. Municipalities must be able to craft incentives that make the most sense based on their unique needs. That’s why Governor Hobbs will prioritize working with the legislature to help local governments expand access to low-interest financing for housing developments. This will also include incentivizing local communities to provide land for affordable and workforce housing for low-income persons and families to ensure every Arizonan has the opportunity to succeed.