Affordable housing is a pressing concern across Northern Arizona, and Habitat for Humanity is stepping up with innovative solutions. By expanding its reach beyond Flagstaff, the nonprofit organization is set to embark on new projects in Winslow, Fredonia, and Payson, aiming to provide low-cost starter homes for aspiring homeowners.
Currently in the midst of a similar venture in Flagstaff, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona is on a mission to help families enter the housing market. The initiative offers residents the opportunity to build wealth over a decade before transitioning to their next home. Given Flagstaff’s high housing costs—where home prices have surged by nearly 200% over the past 20 years while incomes have only risen by 70%—this program provides a much-needed lifeline.
Addressing Housing Disparities
Eric Wolverton, CEO of the Northern Arizona Habitat chapter, highlights the broader affordability issue affecting communities beyond Flagstaff. “You just go 45 minutes to the east to Winslow, much cheaper to live there,” Wolverton explained. “But that means your minimum wage is going to be much less. So that means your cost of housing is actually going to be on a ratio the same as Flagstaff.”
In response to these challenges, Habitat plans to construct 24 homes in Winslow and is collaborating with Community Presbyterian Church in Payson for a pilot project involving two homes. Construction on these developments is expected to commence this spring, while the Fredonia project remains in its preliminary stages.
‘It is a countrywide issue’
Wolverton emphasizes that the housing crisis is not limited to one region. “The problem with housing, it’s not a Flagstaff-centric issue. It’s not an Arizona issue. It is a countrywide issue,” he stated. Habitat’s successful Flagstaff model, which includes 40 homes as part of Capstone Home’s Timber Sky development, is being adapted nationwide as other affiliates seek solutions to similar challenges.
This initiative resonates with rural communities where residents and leaders favor a “hand up, not a handout,” as Wolverton noted. However, the future of the Flagstaff program remains uncertain as Habitat seeks additional land for further development.
Despite the uncertainty, Flagstaff city officials maintain their commitment to affordable housing. City spokesperson Sarah Langley highlighted the city’s longstanding partnership with Habitat, while Mayor Becky Daggett affirmed the importance of tackling housing affordability with an “all hands on deck” approach. “Our community deserves an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to addressing this problem and I appreciate every partner who’s doing this work with us,” Daggett said.
As Habitat for Humanity forges ahead with its initiatives, Northern Arizona communities await the positive impact of these affordable housing projects, hoping for a brighter future in homeownership.
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