Glendale Secures Pentagon Support to Axe Affordable Housing Bill

A California congressman is seeking clarity from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) regarding its lobbying efforts against a bill designed to promote the construction of “starter homes” in Arizona. U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, expressed dissatisfaction with the DOD’s response after initiating inquiries about the issue.

Garcia, who serves on the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, addressed the DOD earlier this year, questioning the rationale behind its opposition to the measure which had garnered bipartisan support. “In the midst of a housing crisis, it’s troubling that the DOD is objecting,” Garcia told the Arizona Mirror.

The legislation in question aimed to limit local zoning control for Arizona cities with populations exceeding 70,000, enabling the construction of smaller lot sizes for single-family homes. Additionally, it prohibited municipalities from mandating homeowners within homeowner associations to restrict their design choices.

Supporters contended that the bill would combat rising home prices and address the growing affordable housing crisis in Arizona. Conversely, more than 30 municipalities and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns argued that it undermined local development rights.

Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the bill, citing concerns from the DOD about potential hazards arising from developments near military bases. In its correspondence with Garcia, the DOD noted it became involved only after receiving feedback from Glendale, indicating that it had not previously communicated its concerns to the bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Leo Biasiucci.

Biasiucci confirmed that he was informed of the DOD’s objections only shortly before the bill was passed to the governor’s desk. “We were unaware of any issues until March 15,” he stated. He expressed confusion over the DOD’s timing given the bill had been public since early January.

The bill reached the governor’s office on March 12, and the DOD’s letter of concern was dated just two days later. Glendale, home to Luke Air Force Base, spurred the DOD’s scrutiny, as its mayor is part of the League of Cities and Towns’ leadership.

Biasiucci mentioned the DOD’s concerns could have been addressed if communicated sooner but acknowledged the limitations of the timing. In response to inquiries from the Arizona Mirror, a Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on communications between the DOD and elected officials, stating, “We don’t comment on correspondence.”

The Governor’s Office emphasized that the DOD’s concerns represented just one of several issues with the proposed legislation. Governor Hobbs also noted apprehensions from firefighter organizations about the potential implications for public safety in newly developed communities.

Research by the Pew Charitable Trusts has shown that localities with similar reforms witnessed an increase in their affordable housing supply without displacing existing residents. Garcia has called for further investigation into the frequency of federal agency involvement in state housing policies, asserting the need for more oversight in these matters.