The Arizona Multihousing Association is thankful to supporters this year who helped advocate to increase housing for all. We are excited by the success the AMA and the housing industry achieved at the Arizona Legislature cutting red tape and opening new doors for development.
Six lawmakers in particular proved themselves to be champions of housing in 2024. We look forward to working with them again and making additional progress in 2025.
- Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert
Petersen approaches housing with a business-oriented perspective, drawing on decades of experience in real estate and homebuilding.
“He has lived experience on how hard it is to build a home with all the red tape and hurdles, which turns into costs for homeowners,” says one Capitol insider.
As Senate President, Petersen excels at building consensus within his caucus, often appealing to conservatives by emphasizing the free-market principle that increasing housing supply is essential to meet demand.
- Rep. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix
Ortiz educates and motivates a wide audience of Arizona residents to engage on housing policy as a vocal advocate for affordable and middle-income housing on social media.
She consistently exhibits political courage, whether by collaborating with Republicans on bills she supports or by engaging with diverse perspectives, even when she disagrees. In the last session, Ortiz championed initiatives to streamline the zoning entitlement process and reduce parking requirements for multifamily developments.
One insider called her a “battle sister” in the push for housing legislation this year.
- Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City
Biasiucci has prioritized reducing the rising cost of living as a central focus of his legislative work. As a father of a toddler, he understands the challenges young families face with increasing housing expenses.
Biasiucci spearheaded HB 2297, which was signed into law and encourages cities to revitalize vacant commercial lots by allowing developers to build housing. His pragmatism and sincerity allows him to gain support from both sides of the aisle on key issues.
- House Majority Leader-elect Michael Carbone, R-Buckeye
Carbone has a talent for breaking down complex legislation, making it accessible to his colleagues and often securing unanimous support.
Carbone achieved a feat of negotiation with stakeholders to pass and enact HB 2721, which permits smaller multifamily projects, such as duplexes or townhomes, in single-family neighborhoods.
With young adult children, Carbone is keenly aware of the challenges many face when starting their careers, renting their first apartment or purchasing a home.
- Rep. John Gillette, R-Kingman
Gillette, an Army veteran and real estate agent, championed HB2584, which grants developers greater flexibility in selecting building materials, provided they comply with national building code standards.
A staunch advocate for private property rights with solid conservative credentials, Gillette is unafraid to tackle controversial issues when he believes they are right.
- Senator David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista
Gowan was instrumental in passing a state tax credit for developers of low-income housing to maximize the benefit of the federal low-income housing tax credit, a program started under President Reagan.
In the face of opposition, Gowan insisted on its inclusion in the 2022 budget. Since the program’s passage, the Arizona Department of Housing has issued allocations for 14 projects, producing 1,679 units, ensuring guaranteed affordability, including the renovation of a vacant, historic schoolhouse in Globe to make way for senior housing.
In 2025, the Legislature will decide whether to renew the funding.
