By Ashley Harder October 28, 2026
Our city is growing, and that’s a good thing. But two questions will determine whether that growth remains sustainable: Can the next generation of homeowners afford to stay here, and will we have the water necessary to support them? Too often, I feel these challenges are discussed in silos as if they were separate issues. They shouldn’t be.
Young people make up the majority of District 4—right now, their future looks uncertain when it comes to housing affordability and water security. After nearly 20 years working in housing, development, and District 4 neighborhoods, I’ve learned that responsible growth requires us to solve both affordability and water availability.
District 4 residents are stressed about rising costs, particularly for homeownership. What was once a staple of the American dream is now out of reach for many. A generation of Phoenicians are pouring money into apartments and building no equity. At the same time, recent surveys of voters across our state show significant concern about shrinking water supplies and strong support for government action. Phoenix residents are right to consider both. Housing affordability means little if we build without securing the infrastructure and water necessary to sustain our growth.
With new impact fees and recent state legislation dictating local control, we have to ensure growth pays for itself. The reality is that these added costs can also make affordable housing more expensive to build, raising an important question: can we offset or cover those fees on specific projects in exchange for developers delivering meaningful affordability? This has to be considered.
As founder of Harder Development and Vice Chair of Phoenix Community Alliance’s Planning and Development Committee, I have worked at the intersection of these issues. I have helped turn vacant and underutilized properties into housing and neighborhood-serving businesses, advocated for adding underused City-owned land to our affordable housing pipeline, and participated in public engagement around water impact fees. That experience has convinced me that Phoenix does not have to choose between building housing and protecting our water future.
We can do both.
Thoughtful infill and adaptive reuse can add housing in areas already served by infrastructure. At the same time, Phoenix must continue investing in advanced water purification, infrastructure, conservation, and new supplies. The city is already building its first advanced water purification facility, which will turn recycled water into a local, renewable drinking-water supply.
The question isn’t whether Phoenix should grow. It’s whether we will grow intelligently enough to remain both affordable and sustainable. The next City Council will need to make sure the answer to that question is yes.
Original article can be found at: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/opinion/the-american-dream-is-now-out-of-reach-for-many-40711274/
