By Matt Roy | Your Valley
As the COVID-19 public health crisis continues, an estimated 8.2 million Americans are behind on their rents and mortgages while protections against evictions during the pandemic are nearing an end.
But when those renters search for a new place to stay, will there be anything available or affordable to rent?
According to multiple reports, the Phoenix-area real estate market — while among the most robust nationally — is woefully inadequate to address the needs of lower-income residents. That problem has played out in the West Valley, as across the region rent growth during the past decade have far outpaced wage growth.
Surprise Mayor Skip Hall spoke to Daily Independent about the problem as he sees it and said he’s optimistic officials can help improve the situation.
“You know, it’s not a crisis yet. But I see it in the future,” Mayor Hall said. “We’re not delivering enough affordable product.”
