- The 2026 Arizona legislative session is already focused heavily on housing affordability.
- Lawmakers continue pushing policies aimed at increasing housing supply, including:
- Converting farmland into residential subdivisions.
- Redeveloping underused office and commercial buildings into multifamily housing.
- These supply-side strategies are already producing results, with new subdivision deals announced and increased interest in office-to-residential conversions.
- The Arizona Multihousing Association is advocating for:
- Reinstating the state Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which expired last year despite strong economic performance.
- Since 2021, LIHTC-supported projects generated nearly $750 million in economic activity and over 4,500 construction jobs.
- Examples of successful redevelopment include:
- A former school converted into senior housing in Globe.
- A 368-unit affordable apartment project in Glendale.
- A separate proposal would establish a $5 million rental assistance fund to help tenants facing short-term financial hardship avoid eviction.
- Supporters argue that preventative rental assistance is more effective than legal aid after eviction filings.
- Policymakers face budget constraints, but housing supply remains a dominant issue as Arizona continues to grow.