E80: Health and Housing Update - 7/6/21

in case you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, here are two truths that will be at the heart of today’s episode: (1) housing is health; and (2) the dearth of supportive, affordable, and workforce housing in Arizona continues to rear its head when it comes to Arizona residents and their ability to be well. Never was the idea of housing as health made more obvious than during the worst moments of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Those moments were an exclamation point on what the data already has told us for years: Health outcomes are dramatically better – and health care costs are dramatically lower – when Arizonans have affordable quality housing for shelter and respite.

The pandemic continues (particularly with the rise of the delta variant), extreme heat has already left its first mark on Arizonans, and yet the struggle for more housing that’s available to more people continues. You’re about to hear from three Arizona experts about why that is the case, and what we can do about it. (Spoiler alert: a big element that we’re missing rhymes with “analytical skill.”) Our experts have a lot to share, including multiple publications and an important toolkit, links to all of which are found in our show notes.

So let’s get to it: It’s time to talk about inclusionary zoning, LIHTC, nimbyism, ADUs, teacherages, a trust fund, and so much more, as of July 6, 2021.

Links:

• Arizona Housing Coalition Best Practice Toolkit for Municipalities, for Increasing the Supply of Affordable Housing
• How School Districts Can Create Attainable Housing Opportunities
• Policies for Investment Without Displacement Executive Summary