Let’s Talk About Middle Housing
Last week’s City Council meeting on Middle Housing made one thing clear: Phoenix is ready for thoughtful, steady leadership that understands the complexity of our housing challenges. We need leadership that recognizes how our city grows, how our neighborhoods function, and how good policy can strengthen both without causing unintended consequences.
Throughout my career, I have worked in the space where preservation and progress meet. I have revitalized historic properties, supported local businesses, and helped shape infill projects that fit their surroundings. My approach has always been rooted in listening to neighborhoods, respecting the past, and planning for the future in a way that feels balanced and responsible.
I do not believe that preservation and new housing are in conflict. In fact, Phoenix succeeds when we recognize that both matter. We can protect our historic neighborhoods, many of which offer naturally attainable housing, while also creating new homes that meet the needs of a growing city. We can welcome new housing types while still ensuring compatibility, good design, and respect for community character. When we stay focused on practical solutions, these goals can reinforce one another.
The new Middle Housing law presents challenges, but it also presents opportunities. Phoenix needs new housing, and we need it to be attainable. We also need to protect the historic neighborhoods that define District 4 and contribute to the social, cultural, and economic strength of our city. These neighborhoods show that walkability, human-scale design, and diverse housing options are already part of our urban fabric. They are not obstacles to growth. They are examples of how growth can be done well.
What comes next is an important question. Compliance with state law is one step, but it cannot be the whole conversation. Phoenix now has an opportunity to refine our zoning, strengthen our design guidelines, support adaptive reuse, protect existing homes, and invest in tools that expand housing choices without eroding neighborhood stability. This is how we ensure that new development fits, that historic homes remain in place, and that future housing is both attainable and aligned with the values of our community.
I am committed to helping Phoenix move in this direction. This moment calls for collaboration, careful planning, and a willingness to look for solutions that honor both our history and our future. I believe we can get this right, and I am ready to continue doing the work to help us get there.
