Local opinion: Keeping Arizona families housed is the responsible choice

My top priority has always been, and will always be, making Arizona an affordable place for all. A place where working families can put down roots, seniors can age with dignity, and our neighbors don’t have to fear eviction simply because life threw them a curveball. Avoiding evictions is not a partisan issue; I have heard it at the doors for years. People want actions, not empty promises or ideas. On Tuesday, my bills HB2682 and HB2698 will be heard. As a member of the minority, I am here to remind you that we, too, can and will be effective leaders bringing the issues voters care about to the forefront.

For too many Arizonans, one unexpected expense, an emergency medical bill, a car repair needed to get to work, or a sudden job loss, can spiral into a housing crisis. When families fall behind on rent with no immediate assistance available, eviction becomes a real and devastating possibility. That instability harms not only the family involved but also our communities and our economy as a whole. As an elected official, it’s deeply frustrating when people reach out to my office, and we simply don’t have the resources needed to help, especially when it comes to housing, where assistance is even more limited. Too often, this reality gets overlooked. Without a roof over your head, utility assistance, and other supports mean very little. Housing is the foundation; you need a home before any of the other basic necessities can truly matter.

This bill will create a rental assistance program to help Arizona renters experiencing short-term financial hardship stay in their homes and regain stability. We would provide $5 million in rental assistance administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Eligible renters could receive up to $5,000 or two months of rent, whichever is less, with payments made directly to property owners. The program prioritizes families with children, ensures prompt application decisions, and includes protections against eviction for rent covered by the assistance. My priority is to keep Arizona families housed during a financial crisis.

I will host a press conference before our hearing alongside a bipartisan group of leaders, housing experts, and Arizona renters who understand firsthand the value of targeted rental assistance. Our message is clear: stable housing is foundational to strong families, healthy communities, and a resilient economy. Providing rental assistance isn’t just the compassionate thing to do; it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do. Evictions are expensive. They increase demand on emergency shelters, strain local nonprofits, and push families into cycles of instability that will require far more government intervention in the future. Children who experience housing instability are more likely to fall behind in school. Workers facing eviction are more likely to miss work or lose jobs. Health care costs rise when families are forced into unsafe or overcrowded living situations.

By contrast, short-term rental assistance is a smart, preventative investment. A modest amount of help at the right moment can stop a crisis before it starts, keeping families housed, kids in school, and workers on the job. It protects both renters and housing providers by ensuring rent is paid quickly and directly, reducing financial risk for everyone involved. This is not a blank check; it’s a practical solution to a real problem, with clear guardrails and measurable outcomes that should have been done years ago. I ran a similar bill last year, but did not have the broad support I have this time around.

Arizona’s housing challenges didn’t appear overnight, and they won’t be solved with a single bill. But we can take meaningful steps right now to prevent avoidable evictions and keep families stable while they get back on their feet. We all benefit when our neighbors are housed, our communities are stable, and our state uses taxpayer dollars wisely. HB 2682 does exactly that. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to act before temporary hardship becomes permanent harm. Keeping Arizona families in their homes during short-term financial crises isn’t just good policy; it reflects the values of fairness, responsibility, and opportunity that define our state.