Councilmember Michael Johnson's
Arizona Informant Column
May 19, 2004

Awareness campaign begins for more affordable housing

Many people have the misconception that affordable housing is needed only by individuals with lower-incomes and less education.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Who needs an affordable home?

People you meet every day - bus drivers, daycare providers, recent college graduates, grocery store clerks, delivery drivers, security guards, school teachers and many others. All need affordable places in which to live.

By definition, affordable housing means that a household pays no more than 30 percent of its annual gross income for housing costs.

Let me provide an example. A family of three living on an annual median income of $31,500 can afford to pay no more than $788 a month (including utilities) for a two-bedroom house.

That's substantially below the estimated $1,067 monthly payment required for a typical Valley home in today's market.

To help emphasize the need for affordable housing, the city has initiated a yearlong public awareness campaign featuring posters and billboards that highlight the slogan, "Meet someone who needs an affordable home."

Make it a point to look for them around the city. You can help our initiative, too, by supporting neighborhood revitalization efforts that include affordable housing options and legislation and bond measures that favor affordable housing programs.

The campaign is a partnership between the Housing and Neighborhood Services departments, Phoenix Commission on Housing and Neighborhoods, Fannie Mae, Bank One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Harris Bank, Phoenix Industrial Development Authority and Local Initiatives Support Corporation.

For more information, visit phoenix.gov/affordable or call 602-534-2142.

Michael Johnson is a Phoenix City Councilmember who represents District 8. His office can be reached at 602-262-7493 or at michael.johnson@phoenix.gov via e-mail.