Housing affordability climbs to the top of Arizonans’ 2024 election priorities

(The Center Square) – Affordable housing is among Arizonans’ top priorities this election season according to a recent poll by Noble Predictive Insights. It is a topic that both parties claim to address.

The poll was conducted between Aug. 12-16, surveying 1,003 registered voters in Arizona and yielding a 3.09% margin of error.

“For most of the election season, inflation, immigration, and abortion have been the top issues,” reads a report on the poll. “That’s still true – but a new issue, affordable housing, has officially cemented its status as a top-tier issue for Arizona voters. And, affordable housing’s importance is comparable to the other top issues – it’s high.”

However, neither Republicans nor Democrats have made affordable housing a major campaign point.

“Immigration, abortion, inflation – when these issues come up, the parties know what they’re talking about,” said David Byler, NPI chief of research. “And voters know who they trust. Housing is a different animal. Housing costs are just too high, and it’s becoming a bipartisan concern.”

According to a housing affordability study conducted by the University of Arizona, more than 30% of Arizonans are facing a housing burden, meaning that their housing costs consume more than 30% of their income.

“Households that are cost burdened are more likely to struggle to pay for other basic needs such as healthcare, childcare, transportation, and even food,” reads the study. There is a shortage of 133,684 affordable homes for Arizonans.

Low income households are not the only ones facing cost burdens, data shows that 37% of households that have “middle income” are still burdened when it comes to housing costs.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has taken steps to help Arizonans with housing issues including a first-time home ownership assistance program, dedicating $13 million to help individuals with a down payment on a home.

“As someone who has struggled to make mortgage payments myself, I know how owning a home can help build a strong financial foundation and anchor families to the communities they love,” Hobbs said in an April 12 statement. “This new program will offer the freedom and independence that comes with homeownership that has been eluding many deserving Arizonans across the state.”

However, Arizonans are still struggling, making housing affordability a major issue that candidates can use to win the swing state.

“This is a rare opportunity for both parties – an important issue where neither side has a pre-existing advantage or even a defined message,” Byler said. “The party that figures out how to win on housing will benefit hugely.”