Housing

From Arizona to New York, it appears that a "new housing economy" is emerging, shaped by short-term rentals and backyard units. Commentator Herb Paine explores how this development is testing the balance between personal profit and the public need for homes and stable communities.

Earlier this week, the Phoenix City Council delayed a decision on a zoning proposal that would reshape several historic neighborhoods, including Willo and Encanto-Palmcroft.

The latest eviction numbers are in for Maricopa County. It was one of the busiest Octobers ever, with landlords filing more than 7,500 evictions.

The Scottsdale City Council this week once again declined to vote in favor of joining a lawsuit challenging a new state law. The measure essentially nullified a referendum in Scottsdale over a proposed development by Axon.

A recent ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court seems to extend the right to self-defense in the state.

Tempe now estimates that more than 1,000 homes and 83 businesses were damaged by the Oct. 13 microburst. But officials still don’t know how many people were displaced by the storm two weeks ago.

The Trump administration is considering changes to federal funding for homeless services. Arizona advocates are concerned thousands of formerly homeless people could lose shelter as a result.

The city is offering services to help provide emergency resources, food, and information on clearing debris to help those impacted.

Despite our divisive times, Arizonans largely agree on many major issues. They want affordable housing, investment in child care and post-secondary education.

The American West has seen the number of structures lost in wildfires more than triple in recent decades. But new research shows that home hardening measures can significantly increase a home's chances of survivability during a wildfire.