Housing

HOUSING IN COTTONWOOD

Availability of high-quality, affordable housing is a pressing issue in many rural areas of the U.S., particularly when much of the economic activity relies on tourism including the Verde Valley.

The City of Cottonwood and the other incorporated Verde Valley communities collaborated with Yavapai County and regional organizations on a housing needs assessment produced by Elliot D. Pollack & Company in 2021.

This study reported there are almost 6,000 housing units within the city; 89% occupied. It also had the largest proportion of apartment units of any Verde Valley community at 14.4%, or 846 units. The City is focused on carrying out the five-year action plan recommended by the study, which includes:

1. Establish a regional, collaborative approach to the affordable housing issue for the entire Verde

Valley.

2. Encourage development of affordable housing units that meet the needs of low and moderate income households.

3. Actively recruit housing developers to the Verde Valley, including affordable as well as market-rate developers.

4. Incentivize the inclusion of affordable units in private development. 5. Increase resources to support production of affordable housing.

6. Monitor the increase in demand and loss of affordable housing units in the community.

In addition, Cottonwood recently hired a housing manager to proactively address the housing needs in Cottonwood and the Verde Valley.

A new program has been initiated called the Cottonwood Homeownership Program (CHP) which can provide up to $20,000 in down payment assistance to homebuyers that work for an employer within the geographic area of the city of Cottonwood.

For information on housing assistance programs please visit:

www.cottonwoodaz.gov/776/housing