The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA), a nonpartisan nonprofit aiming to unite Arizonans for a better future, released new survey data on housing from its Arizona Voters’ Agenda. The survey included likely voters from various political backgrounds and age groups, revealing widespread worries about housing, particularly regarding affordability and accessibility.
With Arizona’s rapid growth, 71% of voters see homelessness as a significant problem or crisis, and 84% find rental prices and 80% home prices too high. These concerns cut across party lines, indicating a universal sense of urgency.
Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA, emphasized that voters across urban and rural areas share deep concerns about housing. She highlighted the need for strategic planning by leaders to address the state’s growing needs, with housing being a crucial aspect.
According to Paul Bentz, Senior Vice President of Research & Strategy at HighGround, the survey underscores a broad community impact of housing costs, prompting voters to urge leaders to collaborate on viable solutions.
The majority of Arizona voters, including Republicans (70%), independents (78%), and Democrats (89%), believe more affordable housing is necessary in their communities. They also call for increased efforts from state and local governments to ensure housing affordability and safety for low and middle-income earners, with 82% advocating for affordable housing options and 81% for homeless individuals’ access to safe housing.
Dr. Francis stressed the importance of housing for a healthy and prosperous life, urging candidates and leaders to confront challenges posed by population growth, ensuring housing accessibility for all residents.
The 2024 Arizona Voters’ Agenda aims to align leaders’ views with voter priorities, emphasizing questions about addressing homelessness and housing accessibility. While not all proposed solutions achieved consensus, the agenda encourages bipartisan cooperation to find innovative ideas.
For more details and insights, visit arizonafuture.org/ava. The release of the 2024 Arizona Voters’ Agenda will continue, covering immigration and housing findings in the coming weeks.
