Everyone seems to agree, housing demand still outstrips housing availability and housing affordability is still almost non-existent. But, what housing are we speaking about and for whom?
WeSERV has been advocating for increased housing product, rental and purchase, focused on wage earners with gross incomes between $45,000/year and $95,000/year for several years. Low income households have federal, state and local government housing assistance programs and housing product. High income earners can afford the cost of high rental rates and purchase homes priced at $400,000 and above.
In 2023, WeSERV released its housing study The Web of Housing Solutions suggesting the real estate tools in the private sector can and should be used not only by individuals, but by larger developers and builders. We also reiterated our long time position, local governments should encourage and seek builders and developers with varied housing product with an emphasis on the arc of housing types and price points.
wage earners have seen their housing options disappear. Homelessness includes families and individuals who are working at good paying jobs. Distressed renters are people with good paying jobs, but the rental product being built is much too expensive for their budget needs.
To help local governments, because the same issue of lack of wage earner housing is common across the entire WeSERV territory, WeSERV conducted a Housing Demand Survey. Last week WeSERV released its Pinal County and City of Eloy Housing Demand Survey. At least 85% of this survey applies to communities across our territory. You may access the full survey of in person interviews with residents and a survey of WeSERV members at www.weservgad.org. Click on Director’s Notes or Local News. You may access the Executive Summary as well.
Candidate Interviews 2024:
Our first candidate interviews will be in January and our candidate interview workgroup will be interviewing candidates running for office in Tempe. WeSERV will conduct most of the other cities, towns and county interviews in May and June 2024.
If you are a member of WeSERV, REALTOR or Affiliate, and would like to participate in candidate interviews, please let me know by emailing the Government Affairs Department at weservgad@weserv.realtor. The Government Affairs Calendar including candidate interviews is available at www.weservgad.org.
WeSERV GAD: Advocating for private property rights, the right to private contract and YOUR business!