Two of Arizona’s congressional Democrats joined forces on Wednesday to talk about housing affordability. Reps. Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva held a shadow hearing with members of their Progressive Caucus on Capitol Hill.
A shadow hearing is an informal gathering of the minority party. There were no Republicans in attendance.
Ansari told members that housing prices in Arizona are out of reach for many first-time home buyers, and people are being priced out of the communities they helped build.
“Lowering costs is not just about economics," she said. "It's about dignity. It's about whether families can put down roots, whether kids can stay in the same school, and whether communities like mine and Arizona remain places where working people can actually afford to live.”
Ansari says she plans to host future meetings to find ways to lower costs.
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In November, Phoenix unanimously approved its middle housing ordinance to comply with a state law that passed in 2024. The ordinance allows multifamily housing in downtown, including in once protected historic neighborhoods. -
Arizona short-term rental operators say they oppose legislation that would put new restrictions on the industry, but may have common ground with their opposition — both sides see an issue with large, out-of-state organizations buying up the housing supply. -
HB 2682 would set aside $5 million to create a new rental assistance program in Arizona. Qualifying renters would be able to apply for up to $5,000 to cover up to two months of rent. -
As Arizona’s legislative session begins, housing affordability continues to be a priority for many lawmakers. Will they be able to agree on potential solutions? -
Phoenix has been grappling with the problem of affordable housing for years now. We are one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the country, but we still don’t have enough of it.
