By ASU | AzBigMedia
A new report from Arizona State University shows that the state is in a housing crisis, with rents skyrocketing 72% from 2010 to 2022 and home-buying being out of reach for much of the population. In addition, critical concerns about the future of the water supply and the energy grid are complicating housing development and economic growth.
But a gathering of top experts in the state revealed that the picture is not entirely gloomy. The Housing and Water Policy Summit, held Friday by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at ASU, showed how municipal and state governments are working to create more affordable housing and how other stakeholders are addressing the balance between economic growth and strategic resource management.
“Groundwater across the state is a hugely valuable supply,” said Kathryn Sorensen, research director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU who moderated a panel discussion titled “Envisioning Smart Growth” at the summit.
“There isn’t enough water for everything, right? Human wants are always unlimited. Our ability to meet those wants is always somewhat limited. I hope you think of these trade-offs in terms of which developments are worth the water.”
