By Sam Kmack | Arizona Republic
Half of Tempe renters are stretching their paychecks to keep a roof over their heads, according to a new city-commissioned report.
It shows Tempe’s occupied rental market has a smaller percent share of affordable units than any other peer college town included in the study. The figures indicate that the “severe deficit” can only be fixed by more than doubling the number of lower-income units in city ― a lofty goal that will take years to achieve if it’s even attainable.
The findings are a blow for officials who had made significant headway increasing the city’s share of affordable housing as of 2020, when more than half of Tempe’s housing stock was considered affordable for those making less than $63,000.
