During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the pressing issue of housing affordability in Mesa, highlighting a significant gap between household income and available housing options. The analysis presented illustrated that while households earning $300,000 or more have the purchasing power to afford housing, the available units in Mesa do not meet this demand, leading many to relocate to neighboring cities like Gilbert and Chandler.

The discussion emphasized that the current housing market does not adequately support upward mobility for residents. Stakeholders noted that although there is a substantial number of housing units available for those earning between 100% and 130% of the Area Median Income (AMI), the rising costs are pushing even two and three-bedroom units into higher price brackets, effectively categorizing them as executive housing.

Officials expressed concern over the concept of a \"missing middle\" in housing, arguing that while there is an abundance of middle-income housing, it fails to accommodate the needs of residents seeking to upgrade their living situations. The meeting underscored the importance of addressing this imbalance to retain residents and ensure that the community can support its growing population.

The conversation also touched on the historical efforts made to develop master-planned communities aimed at capturing this demographic, suggesting that further strategic planning may be necessary to address the ongoing housing crisis in the area. The officials acknowledged the challenges posed by market-driven forces but emphasized the need for proactive measures to enhance housing availability and affordability in Mesa.