By YourValley
The city of Glendale, in collaboration with Maricopa Association of Governments, is championing the “Home is Where it All Starts” campaign.
This regional initiative envisions a future where every Arizonan has a place they can call home, one within their means and catering to their housing needs. This is a movement to destigmatize “affordable” housing and shift the narrative to the importance of every Arizonan having a home.
Many Arizonans are grappling with the burden of high rents and mortgages, often at the expense of other necessities. The Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University reveals a staggering statistic – Arizona needs 270,000 housing units to meet its residents’ needs, and there are only 26 rental units for every 100 extremely low-income households.
The situation is equally alarming in Glendale, where more than 17% of residents meet the federal standards for poverty. Tthe 2023 Annual Report, produced by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, stated that homelessness has increased more than 29% since 2020.
“The city of Glendale is not just acknowledging these struggles but is committed to addressing them and helping resolve homelessness. Our aim is to ensure that all residents have safe, stable places to call home,” said Matthew Hess, Glendale interim deputy director of community services.
