In March, the Arizona edition of KAWC reported on a survey of Yuma County residents about their experiences with local homebuying and the rental market.

THE BROKEN LINK Experience of Housing Insecurity in Yuma County Forty-two percent of Yuma County renters and nearly 25 percent of homeowners were found to be struggling to pay their rent and mortgage.

Wages have risen in recent years, but so have all other costs. According to the report, high rents, soaring housing prices and a general lack of vacancies have made the idea of ​​owning a home or renting a first studio apartment out of reach for many in our community. It turned out that it was nothing.

Julie Engel is President and CEO of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation..
Engel says young workers and their families will struggle until the situation improves.

Engel says the good news for Yuma County is that the housing shortage hasn’t affected all communities. Somerton and San Luis have worked on both single family and multifamily building projects.

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

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