By Mara Knaub | Yuma Sun
A housing study found that across Yuma County, rental affordability is the top need. In the last decade, rental costs increased much faster than incomes, causing a rental gap.
In addition, the study found that renters want to buy their own homes, but they face barriers and need help overcoming them.
The housing market analysis was presented to the Yuma City Council on Wednesday. Rhonda Lee James, assistant director of community development and director of neighborhood services, explained that the city has been working with a consultant firm for a year to update the city’s 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan. The five-year plan sets the priorities and goals on how to spend the city’s allocation of Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
