Affordable Housing Emerges as a Critical Priority for Arizona Voters

By Daniel Stefanski |

As the November General Election nears, Arizona voters express growing concerns regarding the escalating housing costs in the state. Findings from a recent poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) have identified “affordable housing” as a critical issue for voters, ranking it as the third most important topic affecting the state.

Inflation and immigration dominate the list, occupying the top two spots in voter concerns. The NPI survey, carried out in mid-August, revealed that affordable housing resonates as a significant issue across party lines, garnering attention from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike. Interestingly, inflation also emerged as a primary concern for all voter groups.

David Byler, Chief of Research at NPI, highlighted the bipartisan nature of this issue, explaining, “Housing is a different animal. Housing costs are just too high, and it’s becoming a bipartisan concern.” He emphasized the potential for both major parties to capitalize on this issue, as neither side currently holds a distinct advantage or message regarding housing.

Current statistics paint a stark picture; Zillow reports that the average home value in Arizona stands at $431,492, a 2.4% increase from the previous year. In contrast, the national average home value is $361,282, reflecting a 2.9% rise over the same period.

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen addressed these findings, criticizing the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies. “The American dream of homeownership has become unattainable for the working-class,” he stated. He expressed disappointment over the Governor’s veto of the Arizona Starter Homes Act, which aimed to enhance affordability but fell victim to political pressures. Petersen pledged that Republican legislators would continue to pursue solutions to streamline home construction and ultimately lower prices.

EJ Antoni, a Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, discussed factors contributing to skyrocketing home values, attributing them to excessive federal spending and its inflationary effects. “The housing market in particular has seen stratospheric increases in sales prices,” he noted, citing the impact of low-interest rates that previously made borrowing affordable.

However, as the Federal Reserve reversed its policies and raised interest rates, the affordability crisis deepened. Antoni remarked that to live comfortably in Arizona, a single working adult must now earn $97,000—significantly higher than the median income. For families, the situation is equally challenging, with a two-income household needing nearly double the median income to thrive.

These insights illustrate a mounting crisis in Arizona’s housing market, raising questions about the effectiveness of current policies and the urgent need for solutions that address the plight of working-class families.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.