Title
Agreement with Arizona State University and its Morrison Institute and Arizona Research Center for Housing and Economic Solutions (ARCHES) to Conduct a Middle Housing Study (Ordinance S-52726) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to agree to a scope of work and funding authorization for a Middle Housing study for the Planning and Development Department to be performed under a Master Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Arizona Board of Regents, Arizona State University (ASU), for services associated with City research projects. A previous agenda item on this agenda is approval of that IGA. The research services under this Middle Housing scope of work will be conducted by the Morrison Institute at ASU, for which staff is seeking spending authority to cover half of the overall research cost of $132,140. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The total financial impact to the City is $66,070, and the other half of the cost is being covered by ASU.
Report
Summary
On November 19, 2025, Phoenix City Council held a meeting to consider the City of Phoenix Planning and Development recommendations for a new Middle Housing overlay to comply with the State Legislation (SB2721) that requires all cities of populations at or above 75,000 to allow middle housing within a mile of the city’s central business district. The overlay passed unanimously, but the City Council has requested a study to assess middle housing barriers, evaluate middle housing implementation efforts in other cities, and identify potential options for expanding affordable/attainable middle housing in Phoenix.
The study will be structured around key research questions focused on middle housing defined by housing forms that include 2-4 dwelling units per acre. Given the breadth of the principles outlined and the urgency to support decision-making, the attached scope of work has been developed and will be conducted over the next year. Additional questions may emerge throughout the study and could be considered for subsequent phases if directed by the Mayor and City Council.
Contract Term
The term of this scope of work will not exceed one year.
Financial Impact
The total financial impact on the City to conduct the Study is $66,070 and will come from the Planning and Development Department's budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Planning and Development Department.