By Ron Eland | Editor | Wickenburg Sun
The public got its first glimpse of the Wickenburg housing study last week. And while some information did not come as a surprise, other statistics shined a light on an ever-increasing problem.
The purpose of the Wickenburg Housing Needs Assessment, according to the report, 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.
Rick Merritt, president of Elliott D. Pollack, the firm that compiled the report, was on hand during the Oct. 18 Wickenburg Economic Development Advisory Commission meeting. For two hours, he, along with Deputy Town Manager Tim Suan and Community Development Director Steve Boyle, went over some of the report. The commission members then gave their recommendations and priorities, which will be presented to Town Council next month.
