Phoenix Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien is stepping up to confront Arizona’s deepening housing crisis, unveiling a sweeping new “Housing Solutions Plan” designed to make housing more attainable across the Valley.
Drawing from her experience as a parent, school board leader, and policymaker, O’Brien said her passion for the issue comes from seeing both her adult children and essential workers struggle to afford homes in the city they serve.
“As my kids graduated college, I worried whether they’d be able to stay in Phoenix — the community they love,” O’Brien said. “And when I was on the school board, I saw teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria staff being priced out of their own neighborhoods. That’s incredibly problematic.”
O’Brien’s plan outlines a comprehensive, multi-level strategy built on four pillars: streamlining local development, strengthening regional collaboration, reforming state housing laws, and expanding programs that build and preserve affordable homes.
Among the more than 30 proposals are measures to expedite permitting for smaller housing projects, waive certain fees for affordable developments, and create shared regional building standards to reduce construction costs. The plan also recommends revisiting Arizona’s construction defect laws to encourage more “missing middle” housing — such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes — to diversify options beyond single-family subdivisions or large rental complexes.
“It’s really about having choices,” O’Brien said. “Phoenix needs a range of housing types so families, workers, and seniors can all find a place that fits their needs without having to commute an hour to work.”
O’Brien emphasized that community input will be critical to turning the plan’s ideas into action. She encouraged residents, developers, and advocates to review the proposal and join the conversation.
“Reach out, share your feedback, and help us build coalitions,” she said. “It’s about sitting down together and doing the hard work to make these ideas real.”
For O’Brien, housing policy isn’t just about economics — it’s about the health and stability of the entire city.
“Stable housing is the foundation for everything,” she said. “When families have secure homes, children thrive, neighborhoods flourish, and our economy grows stronger.”
The full Housing Solutions Plan is available for public review on the city’s website.
