Arizona’s shortage of housing for low-income renters once again ranks among the most severe in the nation, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
The organization's annual report, titled "The Gap," released this week, says no state in the U.S. has an adequate supply of rental housing for its lowest-income residents. But Arizona ties with California for the second-worst shortage. For every 100 extremely low-income renters in Arizona, there are just 24 affordable rental units available. Only Nevada has fewer.
The report ranks Phoenix's affordable housing shortage fifth-worst among major metropolitan areas.
The report says lingering effects of the pandemic are continuing to impact the housing market. It recommends the federal government increase funding to incentivize development of affordable housing nationwide. And it recommends municipalities loosen zoning restrictions to allow more types of housing to be built.
