By Jakob Thorington | Arizona Capitol Times
Key Points:
- Rural housing tax credit would help local economies, backer says
- Several bills considered as possible budget measures
- Some advocates fear lawmakers need a break from housing issues
Arizona’s yearly legislative session is approaching its end and lawmakers still haven’t settled on a state budget — a fact housing advocates are hoping to take advantage of.
Those advocates still hold that House Bill 2804, a measure that would create a rural low income housing tax credit program for projects located in counties with a population of less than 800,000, can make it into the yet-solidified proposal. The measure proposes spending $120 million over 10 years on affordable housing projects in rural areas that mayors say will stimulate their economies, provide jobs and ensure more housing opportunities are available across the state.
On April 29, mayors from 31 rural cities wrote to lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs urging for House Bill 2804 to be included with this year’s state budget.
“These credits will help close the gap in housing availability and affordability, which is essential for sustaining rural communities,” the mayors wrote in the letter.
