Phoenix Housing Plan
Homeownership and rent remain too expensive for far too many Phoenix residents.
As a member of the City Council, Ashley Harder will make her top priority supporting housing that fits families’ budgets, fits neighborhoods and fits Phoenix. This means expanding supply while strengthening neighborhoods.
As a longtime developer and historic preservationist, Ashley has the real-world experience to modernize the permitting process, encourage new construction and protect neighborhood character. Ashley understands that Phoenix can build and strengthen the character of our neighborhoods at the same time. We can respect our past, while creating new pathways to homeownership and rent affordability for all Phoenicians.
Ashley Harder is already a Phoenix housing leader.
Ashley is the only candidate in the race prepared to deliver solutions for Phoenix’s housing future.
Ashley has spent years pushing for smart reform, engaging local neighborhoods and defending local decision-making as owner of Harder Development, member of the Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation, Vice Chair of the Central City Planning & Development Committee with the Phoenix Community Alliance and past head of Preserve Phoenix.
She is a leader with the know-how and track record to get things done in housing — someone who deeply understands construction, historic preservation, zoning and community impact.
Ashley regularly speaks at the City Council, Planning Commission, and Budget hearings and partners with city officials, developers, and the community to solve the housing crisis, modernize planning and zoning, and support growth.
Ashley believes we can build the housing we need for the future while protecting neighborhoods that tell our story and making sure no one is left behind in the city’s growth. We can expand housing choices while respecting neighborhoods, the places we love. We can ensure every Phoenician has a quality home they can afford.
Here’s how we get there:
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Phoenix must plan its future without “one size fits all” mandates from the Arizona Legislature. We need to fight harder at the Capitol to represent Phoenix’s interests.
Ashley will:
Ensure Phoenix has a strong voice at the State Legislature.
Fight state preemption that takes away decision-making authority from Phoenix leaders and neighborhoods.
Advocate for “Phoenix-sized” housing legislation that reflects the needs of the nation’s 5th largest city, not statewide ideological experiments.
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The Arizona Legislature forced cities like Phoenix to quickly adopt middle housing policies with little flexibility for local needs. Now Phoenix must evolve its middle housing regulations to better fit our city.
Ashley will:
Locate zoning boundaries to spur housing development in areas of Phoenix where infrastructure, transit, and demand make the most sense.
Fight to protect historic districts from development that would erase neighborhood character.
Increase housing options for all Phoenix residents to be able to live and work in District 4.
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High housing costs have pushed families, students, seniors and essential workers out of our city. We must make more housing available for working families to live and work in their own city.
Ashley will:
Expand pathways to generational wealth for first-time home buyers by expanding down-payment support for primary residences.
Prioritize development of workforce housing for Phoenicians earning 80–120% of area median income who don’t qualify for low-income subsidies but can’t afford high-end luxury housing.
Support reforms to state laws on condo defects and middle housing to unleash affordable condo and townhome development.
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Developers frequently report that the biggest barrier to housing is not zoning, it is city permitting delays. We must make it faster and easier to build.
Ashley will:
Work with Council and Phoenix Planning & Development staff to streamline the permitting and inspections process with predictable timelines, efficient appeals, and a central project manager for complex projects.
Hire a Deputy Director for Workforce and Affordable Housing to expedite the permitting of qualifying projects.
Incentivize projects that dedicate 35% or more affordable units with dedicated staff support and processing commitments.
Track and publicly report progress on affordable permits and completions.
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Phoenix has been a national leader in adaptive reuse and infill and must double down on it. As a nearly land-locked city, we have plenty of space to grow inside our boundaries.
Ashley will:
Expand incentives and technical support for converting underused or vacant office and commercial buildings into affordable multifamily housing.
Modernize zoning ordinances and building codes to allow for more adaptive reuse and infill.
Recognize and celebrate adaptive reuse projects that strengthen affordability and maintain neighborhood identity.
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Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a valuable tool, but they can’t solve the crisis on their own. Short-term rentals must be limited to ensure housing stock is available for owners.
Ashley will:
Support ADUs as part of the housing solution, empowering multigenerational families to live together and long-term renters to find affordable homes by encouraging more ADU construction lending options.
Create ADU standard plans that fit historic districts and are pre-approved by the Phoenix Planning & Development Department to speed the permitting process and cut costs.
Advocate for policies to regulate short-term rentals to reduce price inflation.
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Phoenix owns a massive real-estate portfolio estimated at 90 square miles. Public land must produce public benefit.
Ashley will:
Require all Requests for Proposals, Government Property Lease Excise Tax, and municipal bond-funded projects to guarantee measurable affordability outcomes.
Prioritize housing construction on city-owned parcels
Partner with schools, churches, and nonprofits to reuse land creatively for affordable housing.
Leverage the Phoenix Housing Trust Fund to support nonprofit, innovative, and pilot-scale projects.
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Housing instability and homelessness are solvable with compassionate, pragmatic action.
Ashley will:
Continue investing in short-term shelters, rental assistance and permanent housing to keep streets safe and help people in crisis rebuild their lives.
Support “Housing First” strategies that emphasize stability, dignity and long-term outcomes.
Lead regional collaboration: Every city in the Valley must contribute, not shift its burden to Phoenix.
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Phoenicians deserve neighborhoods that are beautiful to live in, safe from crime and protected from climate impacts. And those of our neighbors who are without housing should be able to find safe, supportive short-term shelter and long-term housing options.
Ashley will:
Prioritize public parks, shade trees, cooling strategies and public safety so our neighborhoods are enjoyable places to live even as density increases.
Improve Phoenix homeless services and support to keep human services partners accountable and well resourced.
Recognize and repair decades of disinvestment in historically underserved communities.
Promote walkability, public transit, safe streets and accessibility to ensure all Phoenicians can move through our city safely, affordably and quickly.
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We must ensure Phoenix residents feel seen, heard, and valued. We will develop a reputation for great constituent service and partner with developers to build affordable housing. When Phoenicians find a partner in City Hall, we move our city forward together.
Ashley will:
Ensure neighbors, businesses, nonprofits and developers are part of planning, not informed after decisions are made.
Increase transparency around land use decisions, housing outcomes and neighborhood impacts.
Build coalitions to ensure Phoenix remains competitive, resilient and equitable as it grows.