– Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill aimed at lowering housing costs, which was designed to encourage the construction of more affordable homes.
– Arizona’s housing crisis is worsening with rising rents, home prices, and homelessness, making the need for new affordable housing crucial.
– The veto contradicts President Biden’s housing affordability efforts as he visits the state, drawing criticism from lawmakers and housing advocates.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs recently vetoed a bill, the Arizona Starter Homes Act, that aimed to lower housing costs by cutting red tape and making the construction of more affordable homes easier. The veto contradicts President Biden’s housing affordability efforts as he visits the state. The bill would have prohibited certain requirements for single-family homes, aiming to encourage the construction of starter homes.
Arizona is facing a housing crisis with rising rents, home prices, and homelessness. Over the last six years, rents have increased by about 50%, and home prices by about 60%. The veto comes at a time when there is a desperate need for new affordable housing in the state as the unhoused population grew by 30% between 2020 and 2023 due to soaring housing costs.
Pro-housing policies have bipartisan support in state legislatures across the country. While some Republican-led states like Montana have passed pro-housing policies, Democratic lawmakers are also keen on finding solutions, particularly as rising housing costs are driving inflation. President Biden has proposed sending federal funds to states to subsidize new housing construction, reduce costs, and help low-income renters and homebuyers.
The veto of the bill by Governor Hobbs has drawn criticism from state lawmakers who championed the legislation. Pro-housing advocates were also outraged by the decision and pointed to research showing that loosening zoning laws and regulations can increase construction and make housing more affordable. The veto also raised concerns from groups like the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and the US Department of Defense about the impact on municipal power and military facilities.