By Ron Eland | Wickenburg Sun
One of the worst-kept secrets in Wickenburg is that there’s a housing issue, similar to many other communities in the state. But the long-awaited Town of Wickenburg housing study is expected to shed some light on how to address the problem.
The public’s first chance of hearing the results of the study, and the Town’s plan moving forward, will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m. during the Economic Development Advisory Commission meeting at Town Hall.
The purpose of the Wickenburg Housing Needs Assessment, according to Town officials, is to identify the affordability gap for the community – the shortage of units that are needed to provide affordable housing for all segments of the population.
Affordability is determined by using the standard that no more than 30% of a household’s income is devoted to housing costs. The U.S. Census provides an estimate of the number of cost-burdened owner and renter households that are paying more than 30% of their income on housing. This essentially identifies the size of the housing gap.
