Editor’s note: The following story is from a forum organized by the Goodyear Independent and its parent company, Independent Newsmedia. One candidate, Vicki Gillis, was unable to attend the June 21 forum due to a scheduling conflict.
By Madeline Ackley Salazar | YourValley
Candidates running for Goodyear City Council met Tuesday, June 21 at Skyway Church to answer questions on various topics facing the future of the ninth-fastest growing city in Goodyear.
One issue candidates were asked to discuss, is the rising cost of rent and home ownership, which has skyrocketed Goodyear as it has across the nation.
Currently, the average rent in Goodyear is over $1,800 a month, and the average home cost is over $500,000–enough to price many people out of the market from the outset.
Candidates were asked how they would handle the rise in housing costs.
Question: Data presented to the city council last year showed that housing costs have climbed faster in Goodyear than the Valley average. In 2012, 90% of apartments for rent in Goodyear were between $500 and $1,000 a month. Today, it is nearly impossible to find a unit less than $1,000 a month. Home prices have greatly increased as well. What can the city do to ensure working families and seniors on a fixed income can afford to live in Goodyear?
Beckles responded that while she hopes housing costs will soon go down, she said she does not believe the city can have much of an impact on costs.
“It’s going to be a tough road for all of us to try to address that issue,” Beckles said. “There’s not much we, as a city can do in terms of housing and housing prices at this point in time.”
