At the Nov. 6 Tempe City Council meeting the council passed the Middle housing overlay ordinance unanimously 7-0.

In 2024 the state Legislature passed House Bill 2721 or “The Middle Housing Bill” which requires all cities larger than 75,000 residents to build multifamily residences within 1 mile of the central business district and to allow building on residential lots over 10 acres.

Bobby Nichols, a Tempe City council candidate and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, called in to show support.

“I and others would like to buy homes someday and it seems virtually impossible in this current market,” he said at the Nov. 6 council meeting.

No council members had comments on the item, but voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance to comply with state law.

At the meeting, council

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