By Mark Carlisle | Phoenix Independent
Phoenix is hiring Arizona State University to study middle housing options in the city.
The study comes in response to a new state law, passed in 2024 but going into effect this year, that requires duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes to be allowed within a mile of downtown in municipalities of at least 75,000. In Phoenix, that affects a lot of historic districts.
Members of city council have said many residents have spoken to them with concern over this new mandate.
While the study aims to address a comprehensive approach to middle housing citywide, council members said that one benefit is they hope to alleviate pressure on historic neighborhoods to provide middle housing.
