When ECoNA released its 5-year Strategic Plan in 2023, it confirmed something many of us already knew: northern Arizona is facing a critical shortage of workforce housing.
During the decade leading up to the plan, the average price of a single family home in our region soared – by as much as 294%, depending on the community. This surge has priced many out of home ownership and pushed rental prices higher, straining families and employers alike.
According to the Strategic Plan, northern Arizona needs more than 15,000 additional housing units just to close the current gap, plus an additional 2,000 to keep pace with expected growth over the next five years.
But there is good news: communities across the region are stepping up and making measurable progress.
Flagstaff is two and a half years into its 10 year plan to reduce the current affordable housing deficit in half. So far, about 1,825 market rate units have been created or preserved, as well as another 273 affordable units. Additionally, another 701 units are in the pipeline as well as 251 subdivision lots according to the city’s latest Development Status Report.
In Winslow, where the current housing gap is just under 700 units, there are about 450 dwelling units in the pipeline, and the City plans to selected a housing developer for a piece of City-owned property which will result in another 30 units. In Sedona, 34 units have been issued certificates of occupancy, and another 148 units are in the pipeline. Together that will address about 10% of the current housing gap there.
Meanwhile, Camp Verde – which is facing a gap of about 1,300 units – has completed 62 residential units with another 1,430 dwellings in the pipeline. Additionally, the community has launched an online Community Development Dashboard, where you can view the status of all development projects from initial concept through completion.
To sustain this momentum, ECoNA’s Workforce Housing Committee continues to meet regularly, engaging with experts on strategies to expand workforce housing and identifying practical steps that can be taken across the region.
Workforce housing is essential to economic stability and regional prosperity. While the challenge is significant, our communities are employing regional coordination, ongoing investment, and innovative solutions to close the gap.
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