Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego called on other cities in Maricopa County to “step up” and build more housing to help solve the regional shortage.
In response, representatives of those cities deflected criticism and cited examples of their good efforts to support diverse housing.
Gallego and other Phoenix City Council members pointed to data from the National Zoning Atlas. The data showed 20% of Phoenix’s zoned land allowed apartments or condominiums, while the percentage in most other cities was below 8%. The five worst — Chandler, Buckeye, Surprise, Goodyear and Queen Creek — had 2% or less.
