Glendale Enlists Pentagon’s Might to Slay Affordable Housing Legislation

A California congressman has sought clarity regarding the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) lobbying of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to veto a bill designed to promote “starter home” construction. U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, remains dissatisfied with the DOD’s explanations.

Garcia, who serves on the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, previously sent a letter to the DOD questioning their opposition to the bipartisan-supported measure. “I think we still have a serious issue of why, in the housing crisis, the DOD is objecting,” he told the Arizona Mirror.

The vetoed legislation aimed to limit local zoning regulations for municipalities with populations over 70,000, effectively easing restrictions on single-family home construction. Critics, including over 30 municipalities and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, argued that the bill infringed upon local governance.

Governor Hobbs cited a DOD letter expressing concerns that the legislation could lead to developments near military installations, heightening the risk of accidents. In response to Garcia’s inquiries, the DOD outlined that their concerns emerged after being contacted by Glendale, which is home to Luke Air Force Base.

Rep. Leo Biasiucci, the bill’s sponsor, stated he was unaware of the DOD’s issues until shortly before Hobbs’ veto. This delay left him perplexed, as the bill had been public since a joint press conference in January. “We had no idea they had any issues,” he remarked.

The bill, transmitted to the governor on March 12, received a formal DOD letter just two days later. The department noted that their awareness of the bill’s implications came from Glendale’s outreach on March 14.

The concerns raised by the DOD prompted Biasiucci to acknowledge that adjustments could have been made had he been aware earlier. However, the Department of Defense declined to comment further on their correspondence with elected officials.

A spokesperson from Glendale clarified that their communication centered on safety issues related to established boundaries near military areas. They reiterated that their concerns were passed to the DOD, who conducted their independent research afterward.

In her veto letter, Hobbs also mentioned apprehensions from firefighter organizations, highlighting potential risks to public safety in future developments. While proponents argue the legislation could help tackle the state’s affordable housing crisis, opponents warn against its implications for local planning.

Research by Pew Charitable Trusts revealed that jurisdictions implementing similar changes elsewhere experienced growth in affordable housing stock, without significant resident displacement—an issue raised by critics of the Arizona Starter Homes Act. “We are also pressing for more investigation into this on our committee,” Garcia stated, inquiring about the influence of federal agencies on state housing policies.

***UPDATED: This story has been updated to include a comment from the City of Glendale.