April is Fair Housing Month—a time to reflect on progress, but also to take a hard look at where we still fall short.
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 ensured that people cannot be discriminated against when buying, renting, or financing a home. It created access.
But today, we’re facing a different challenge:
👉 What good is access if there’s nothing to access?
In communities like Flagstaff, the conversation around fair housing has evolved.
Affordable housing is part of fair housing.
And right now—we don’t have enough of it.
Enter the “Missing Middle”
To address housing shortages across Arizona, the state passed House Bill 2721, requiring cities like Flagstaff to allow what’s called “missing middle” housing.”
This includes:
- Duplexes
- Triplexes
- Fourplexes
- Townhomes
These housing types sit between single-family homes and large apartment complexes—offering more attainable options while maintaining neighborhood scale.
Originally, the law targeted areas near downtown. But the City of Flagstaff took it a step further—adopting a Middle Housing Ordinance that expands these housing options citywide.
