Council adopts workforce housing strategy after debate; approves staff to pursue $75,000 implementation grant

Prescott's City Council approved a workforce housing strategy and implementation plan on March 10 by a 4–3 vote after extensive discussion on priorities and how to use limited implementation funds.

Amber Fraser, management analyst and staff liaison to the workforce-housing committee, and consultant Danny Court reviewed updates: the plan organizes initiatives across land-development-code changes, incentive programs, a workforce-housing certification process, creation or contracting of a community land trust, an infill incentive district, funding tools, and options for city-employee programs (down-payment assistance and other employer-focused supports). Fraser said $75,000 remains from a 2024 Arizona Department of Housing grant and must be used for implementation before July 2026.

Council debate focused on which initiatives to prioritize with limited staff resources and with the grant deadline looming. Several council members urged narrowing to a few near-term items — initiative 7 (housing resources for city employees), code changes to support missing-middle housing and infill, and workforce-housing certification — while others urged retaining a broader slate of tools and noted potential nonprofit and turnkey partners (e.g., organizations that manage housing programs for municipalities). Concerns raised included the potential need for additional staff to implement programs, the risk of the city becoming an ongoing housing manager, and the importance of partnering with regional nonprofits or employer-driven models.

Council ultimately voted to approve the strategy and to direct staff to use the remaining $75,000 to begin implementation work (for consultant support, guidebooks, certification frameworks and initial outreach) with further direction to return with narrower priorities and implementation steps. The motion passed 4–3.