The housing crisis continues to grip Pima County and the entire State, leaving families struggling to find affordable and suitable homes. This crisis demands more housing and more housing types to be built as soon as possible. One way to accomplish this, especially on infill sites, is to embrace more density. When combined with sustainable practices, density will immediately provide more housing while fostering a more environmentally conscious and vibrant community.
People are also reading… Density is also more energy and water efficient. Smaller homes require less energy to heat and cool, and the close proximity of apartments leads to less energy loss and more efficient units. Smaller home lots and apartments use significantly less water per person due to less outdoor irrigation. Increased density allows us to provide more environmentally efficient housing for our growing population while preserving the natural beauty that surrounds us.
The project has also worked with a local conservation organization to make numerous commitments to water, wildlife, and environmental sustainability, like WaterSense fixtures, EV charging, riparian area restoration, and xeriscaping. Despite the added costs, the developer is committed to developing a sustainable and environmentally responsible project.
As a licensed General Contractor with a background in affordable housing, I am passionate about housing solutions. I am grateful for our community’s ecological values and those that fight to protect it. I believe that we all must embrace denser development, particularly infill, as a viable vision for our community’s future. Shifting our mindset to allow for more density will be key to addressing our housing shortage.