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Arizona Edition: Affordable (and available) housing an ongoing issue in Yuma

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In March KAWC's Arizona Edition reported on a survey of Yuma County residents about their experience in the local homebuying and rental market.

THE BROKEN LINK Experiences of Housing Insecurity in Yuma County found that 42 percent of renters and nearly 25 percent of homeowners in Yuma County were struggling with paying their rent and mortgage.

While wages have gone up in recent years, so has the cost of everything else. The report found high rent, inflated home prices, and a general lack of availability put the idea of owning a home or just renting a first studio apartment out of reach for many in our community.

Julie Engel is President/CEO of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation.
Engel says young workers and families will struggle until things improve.

Engel says the good news in Yuma County is that the housing shortage isn't impacting every community. Somerton and San Luis have committed to both single-family and multi-unit building projects.

But the need is most acute in the city of Yuma, where Engel say there are few housing options for people who want to live near where they work, and even fewer options for those wanting to buy a home.

Engel speaks with Chris McDaniel about the housing situation in our community and how it impacts the local economy.

Lou grew up in Tucson and has a long family history in the state of Arizona. He began his public radio career in 1988 at KNAU in Flagstaff as a classical music DJ and has been hooked on public radio since, transitioning to news after trying his hand at several other careers in publishing and commercial broadcasting. Lou has a degree in American Studies from Arizona State University and was KAWC's Morning Edition host for two and half years before becoming News and Operations Director.
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