POLL: Arizona Voters Broadly Support Housing Supply Solutions — Zoning Reform Leads

Arizona Voters Broadly Support Housing Supply Solutions — Zoning Reform Leads

76% Back Permit Streamlining; Broad Coalition for Supply-Side Solutions to Housing Crisis

PHOENIX (April 2nd, 2026) – As Arizona's housing affordability crisis continues to intensify, voters are rallying behind a comprehensive set of supply-side solutions, according to a new AZPOP survey from OH Predictive Insights. Streamlining building permits draws 76% support, down payment assistance for first-time buyers earns 72%, and allowing higher-density housing near transit corridors gets 63% — all commanding solid majorities heading into the 2026 election cycle.

Arizona's housing shortage has deepened significantly since our 2024 survey. The Phoenix metro area faces a deficit of approximately 87,000 housing units relative to household formation demand, with the gap projected to widen as semiconductor manufacturing facilities bring 15,000–20,000 new high-wage jobs to the metro area over the next three years. Average wait times for residential building permits have increased to 8.3 months in some Maricopa County cities — nearly double the 2020 average.

The survey found that housing affordability now directly affects 68% of Arizona voters' household finances: 31% say they are paying more than 30% of their income on housing (the standard definition of housing cost burden), and 37% say they have seriously considered leaving Arizona because of housing costs.

"When 37% of Arizona voters tell you they've considered moving out of state because of housing costs, you have a crisis that is beginning to affect the state's competitive position," says OHPI Chief of Research Mike Noble. "The tech companies and semiconductor manufacturers coming to Arizona need workers, and workers need housing they can afford."

Support for housing supply solutions crosses partisan lines more than most policy issues. Republicans (who typically favor deregulation) are strongest on permit streamlining (82% support) and most supportive of allowing market forces to drive housing supply. Democrats are strongest on down payment assistance (83% support) and tenant protection measures. Independent voters have the most comprehensive pro-supply view: 79% support permit streamlining, 74% support density near transit, and 73% support down payment assistance.

The most politically contested solution is state preemption of local zoning restrictions — allowing the state to override cities that restrict housing density. While 52% support this approach, 42% oppose it, with local control advocates arguing it undermines community decision-making. The opposition is geographically concentrated in wealthier suburban communities that have historically used restrictive zoning to limit growth.

Methodology: AZPOP conducted March 28–30, 2026. n=600 Arizona Registered Voters. ±4.0% MOE.