Housing and Homelessness Are Major Issues for Arizona Voters; Strong Desire for State and Local Government to Do More

Today, Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA)– a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with a mission to bring Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for the state– unveiled new survey data on housing from its Arizona Voters’ Agenda. The findings reflect the views of likely Republican, Democratic, and independent/unaffiliated voters of all ages and highlight widespread concern about housing issues, including a call for more action at state and local levels.

As Arizona continues to grow faster than much of the country, housing affordability and accessibility have become critical issues. The Arizona Voters’ Agenda survey findings show a significant 71% of voters view homelessness as either a "serious issue" or "crisis," with 84% finding rental prices and 80% finding home prices "too high." These concerns are shared broadly across political affiliations, emphasizing the universal urgency of these issues.

"Arizonans throughout the entire state, across urban and rural areas, are deeply concerned about housing," said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA. "The data from this survey also unequivocally show that voters see the need for more strategic planning on the part of leaders to anticipate and support our state's needs as it grows, and housing is an important piece of that required planning."

Paul Bentz, Senior Vice President of Research & Strategy at HighGround, which conducted the survey, noted, "The impact of housing costs now reaches a broader swath of our community. There's a strong call from voters across the political spectrum to encourage our leaders to work together to find reasonable and tangible solutions."

The survey findings show that more than three-quarters (78%) of all Arizona voters, including 70% Republicans, 78% independent/unaffiliated voters, and 89% Democrats, believe more housing that is affordable is needed in their own communities.

Regarding how to address housing affordability and accessibility, the vast majority of voters believe their state and local government must do more:

• 82% of all voters say, “State and local government must do more to ensure that housing options are affordable and available to middle and low-income earners throughout the state.”
• 81% of all voters say, “State and local government must do more to make sure people who experience homelessness can access safe, affordable housing.”

“Housing is fundamental to living a healthy and prosperous life, and that point is not lost on Arizona voters,” Dr. Francis added. “As more and more people continue to choose Arizona as their home state, candidates and elected leaders need to address the challenges that come with a growing population head-on, ensuring that housing is accessible to all who call this state home.”

The Arizona Voters’ Agenda survey covered many issues and topics, and some topics, such as reducing restrictions and regulations on affordable housing and multi-family developments and regulating density and building heights, did not achieve the agreement levels needed to be included in the resulting 2024 Arizona Voters' Agenda.

“The Arizona Voters' Agenda informs dialogue and public debate about the issues that matter to the vast majority of Arizona voters,” concluded Bentz. “While there are differences of opinion on some solutions that have been proposed to this point, this information presents an opportunity for leaders to work across party lines, roll up their sleeves, and find some innovative ideas.”

The 2024 Arizona Voters' Agenda prompts leaders and candidates to consider how their views and positions align with the priorities of Arizona voters. When it comes to housing, the Voters’ Agenda points to questions for moderators, members of the press, community leaders, and voters to ask candidates as they compete for votes, including “How will you ensure that state and local governments take a more active role in addressing homelessness and making housing more accessible to middle and low-income earners?”

To be included on the Arizona Voters’ Agenda, a majority of all likely voters must show a “strong” level of agreement on the issue, and majorities of every political and age segment must show “strong” or “somewhat strong” agreement on the issue. This ensures the Voters’ Agenda truly reflects majority support across all political and generational lines at 50% or above.

Get more questions and all insights at arizonafuture.org/ava.

The rollout of the 2024 Arizona Voters' Agenda will continue through May 15. Findings on immigration and housing will be released next week.

About the Arizona Voters’ Agenda Survey
The first of two planned Arizona Voters’ Agenda surveys ahead of the 2024 election was conducted on March 4-11, 2024, with a random sample of 500 people. The poll surveyed likely Arizona 2024 General Election voters with a history of electoral participation and was balanced to model the likely turnout of voters across party, age, region, and gender. The live interview surveys of voters were conducted in English and Spanish by HighGround, Inc. to landline and cell phone users. The partisan advantage was set at +4% GOP based on previous election trends. The margin of error is ±4.3%.

CFA analyzed the statewide survey data to determine which issues make the cut for the Arizona Voters’ Agenda. To ensure a high threshold of agreement, issues meet all the following criteria:

1. Strong agreement is 50% and above among All Likely Voters
   AND
2. Total agreement (i.e., the sum of somewhat and strong agreement) is 50% and above among every political affiliation (Republican, independent/unaffiliated, and Democratic) and age group (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-64, 65+) of voters surveyed.

Visit arizonafuture.org/ava for more details on the initiative and comprehensive survey information.

The Arizona Voters’ Agenda – Housing

* Political and age group breakdowns are available at arizonafuture.org/ava.

Survey Demographics:

The 2024 Arizona Voters’ Agenda initiative is supported in part by Helios Education Foundation, Pivotal Foundation, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation.

About Center for the Future of Arizona
Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Through its survey research & communications, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs in education, workforce, and civic health, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA’s work is focused on building The Arizona We Want –a research-informed vision of success for the state, where all Arizonans, now and in the future, thrive and enjoy sustained prosperity, unmatched quality of life, and real opportunity.

CFA develops the Arizona Voters’ Agenda initiative to put the voices of Arizona voters at the forefront of election dialogue, encourage candidates and media to focus on what Arizonans agree on and care about for our state, and increase voter engagement by building a positive agenda that focuses on outcomes that voters across age and political affiliation want.