(The Center Square) – A bipartisan group of Arizona lawmakers is asking Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs to sign the “Arizona Starter Homes Act.”
The bill would cut back on regulations, particularly in municipalities, that proponents say make it difficult for smaller or non-single family homes to be constructed in many communities throughout the state. Namely, the bill would allow more leeway with lot sizes and other amenity guidelines in hopes of increasing the supply of housing statewide.
Senate President Warren Petersen said that legislation will ideally help the next generation of aspiring homeowners.
“You know how my kids feel? Absolute despair,” Petersen said, adding that rising costs of home ownership is impacting people of all different backgrounds.
Hobbs said last week that she was undecided on whether or not she will sign the legislation into law.
“The bill has not been transmitted to me yet. I’m still looking at it. What I have been very clear about is that when it comes to housing, I want to see a package that is negotiated, that has bipartisan support, and is a compromise with local jurisdictions,” Hobbs said said last week.
House Bill 2570 is expected to be transmitted to the governor on Tuesday. It passed the House in a 33-26 vote and the Senate in a 16-13-1 vote.
“This is a true bipartisan product,” said House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci, the bill’s sponsor.
“When you have regulations that require them to do certain things […] this is when the price goes up,” he continued.
When The Center Square asked the governor’s office if there was any update on Hobbs’ stance, nothing appeared to have changed externally.
“No, and it has not been sent to her desk yet,” a spokesman for Hobbs told The Center Square.
Sen. Anna Hernandez, D-Phoenix, said Democrats in favor of the bill spoke with the governor’s staff last week urging for her signature. Hernandez emphasized that it would bring “character” into neighborhoods, as well as allow for starter homes to be more common once again.
“The residents of my community shouldn’t be forced to only be renters because they cannot afford a starter home,” Hernandez said.
“We’re tired of not having options. This brings us back to have options,” she added.
Opponents of the bill have raised concerns that the legislation could be a slippery slope for certain neighborhoods seeking to maintain a specific environment, and members in favor of the bill have suggested that the Arizona League of Cities and Towns has not been cooperative in working on home ownership legislation like this bill.
The median list price for a home in Arizona is $474,633 as of February 2024, according to Zillow data.
