CP 2045 Housing

The Housing Element serves as a blueprint for addressing housing issues and guiding new residential development. By focusing on housing needs, affordability, quality, energy efficiency, and accessibility, this element helps ensure that the housing market supports the well-being of all residents and contributes to the overall health and vitality of the community. Cochise County faces several housing challenges, including limited supply of quality housing, infrastructure limitations, aging or substandard homes, and market pressures that increase home purchase and rental costs. The Housing Element identifies strategies to address these challenges and guide future residential development.

Existing Housing Supply
Key points about housing in Cochise County:

• Single-Unit Structures: 66.9% of housing units; aligns with national average.
• Multi-Unit Structures: 12.7%; lower than Arizona (21.1%) and national average (26.9%).
• Mobile Homes: 19.5%; higher than Arizona (8.9%) and national average (5.5%).
• Other Structures: 0.9% (boats, RVs, vans), slightly above state and national averages.
• The median year of home construction is 1986, making housing stock slightly older than Arizona’s average. Older homes may offer historic character but often require maintenance or energy efficiency upgrades. Manufactured homes have grown in recent decades, reflecting demand for flexible, affordable housing.

Housing Affordability

• Median owner-occupied home value: $207,400 (lower than Arizona $411,200; U.S. $340,200).
• Median listing price (Jan 2025): $315,000, a 6.4% increase from the previous year.
• 24.1% of homeowners with a mortgage spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
• 31% of households are renters, with 46% spending more than 30% of income on rent.

Rental Market

• Housing Authority of Cochise County (HACC) administers Section 8 vouchers and other programs but does not own public housing. Voucher holders may face challenges finding units.
• Fort Huachuca provides on-post and off-post housing for military personnel.

Federal, State, & Local Housing Programs

• CDBG (Community Development Block Grants): Supports low- and moderate-income housing and infrastructure projects.
• HOME Investment Partnership Program: Grants for affordable housing construction and rehabilitation.
• Rural Housing Service (RHS): USDA programs to improve rural housing conditions.
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC): Incentivizes private investment in affordable rental housing.
• Arizona Housing Trust Fund & ADOH programs: Supports affordable housing projects and emergency repairs.

PROPOSED HOUSING GOALS & POLICIES

GOAL 1: Safe, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Homes

• Offer housing rehabilitation for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
• Promote programs to reduce energy costs through efficiency upgrades.
• Partner with nonprofits for minor repairs, weatherization, and landscaping.
• Provide assistance for colonia residents to access grants and resources.

GOAL 2: Build Smart, Live Green

• Retrofit county-owned buildings with energy-efficient upgrades.
• Adopt building codes promoting energy efficiency and materials that reduce long-term costs.

GOAL 3: Homes for Every Budget

• Identify publicly owned or underutilized land suitable for affordable housing.
• Adjust zoning regulations to remove barriers to affordable housing development.

GOAL 4: Revitalize Our Neighborhoods

• Use CDBG funds for infrastructure improvements, lighting, and pocket parks.
• Focus code compliance on unsafe or dilapidated structures.
• Provide free access to waste facilities in distressed areas.
• Apply proactive code enforcement while supporting neighborhood cleanups.
• Explore programs for consistent curbside pickup, recycling, and bulk waste services.

GOAL 5: Affordable Homes for Renters

• Promote rental assistance programs and community support services.
• Implement strategies from the Cochise County Affordable Housing Plan to reduce renter cost burdens.
• Update county regulations to align with state legislation supporting affordable housing.