2026 Tempe City Council Housing Questionnaire

Some answers may be lightly edited for format or grammar. Responses are listed in the order received.

We received responses from all but two candidates. You can read our official endorsements here.

Do you believe Tempe is in a housing shortage?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: Yes, we are feeling real pressure in our housing market. Demand continues to outpace supply, especially for attainable housing for working families, seniors, and young professionals. That doesn’t mean every project is the right project, but it does mean we need thoughtful, balanced growth. My focus is increasing supply while protecting neighborhood character.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Tempe is experiencing real housing pressure. Demand is high because we are a desirable place to live, work, and study, placing strain on both renters and homebuyers. While we have added units in recent years, affordability remains a challenge we are working to address for families, seniors, and young professionals. We are making progress but need continued thoughtful, steady action that understands this is not an issue that will be solved overnight. I will bring that leadership.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes. Tempe is landlocked and losing naturally affordable homes faster than we can replace them, which is pushing seniors, students, and working families out of the city. We need to increase supply through available tools like expanding Hometown for All, streamlining permitting for ADUs, and building more mixed‑income housing if we want to stabilize rents and keep people rooted here.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.
Tempe is one of the most desirable cities in Arizona. People want to live here. Students, families, seniors, entrepreneurs, and workforce professionals. When demand continues to outpace supply, prices rise. That is basic economics.

We are not just experiencing a housing shortage. We are experiencing a housing mismatch. We need more units, and we need the right types of units at different price points.

How should Tempe address housing affordability? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Use density bonus programs to incentivize the development of affordable housing, rental subsidies and rent stabilization policies to support tenants, and public housing developments to create a public housing option that will provide sub-market rate and permanent supportive housing.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: We need a practical, multi-tool approach. That includes strengthening public-private partnerships like Hometown for All, preserving naturally affordable housing, and streamlining permitting for projects that include meaningful affordability components. Affordability, neighborhood engagement, and livability can and must all be done simultaneously.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: There is no single solution. We should continue encouraging affordable and middle housing near transit centers, use incentives like “Hometown for All” to include affordable units in new developments, and partner with nonprofits to expand options for residents with the greatest needs. At the same time, we must do all this while protecting neighborhood character and ensuring our city’s infrastructure keeps pace with growth. Balanced planning is key.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: We need a multi-layered strategy that increases supply, preserves existing affordable units, and ensures new development includes homes for a range of incomes. Strengthening Hometown for All, exploring long-term ground leases and partnering with nonprofits and YIGBY churches for long-term affordability, and using city-owned land to build mixed-income housing are all practical steps Tempe can take right now.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Affordability requires a multi lane strategy. There is no single silver bullet.

First, we must increase supply across the housing spectrum. Starter homes, townhomes, condos, workforce housing, and affordable rental units. When supply grows responsibly, pressure on prices stabilizes.

Second, we need to reduce regulatory barriers that unnecessarily drive up costs. Lengthy approval processes, excessive parking mandates, and outdated zoning can add tens of thousands of dollars per unit. We can modernize policy while protecting neighborhood character.

Third, we should expand public private partnerships. I want Tempe aggressively pursuing HUD funding, state housing grants, and innovative financing tools to support mixed income projects.

Fourth, we must support pathways to ownership. That includes working with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, expanding awareness of down payment assistance programs, and exploring land trust models that preserve long term affordability.

Affordability is about access. It is about giving teachers, nurses, small business owners, and young professionals a fair shot at living in the city they serve.

Do you support reducing minimum lot sizes to allow starter homes to be built? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: I’m open to creative solutions that increase attainable homeownership, but I don’t support one-size-fits-all zoning changes. Any reduction in lot size must be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure capacity and we need to work with residents before making those decisions. Smart growth requires balance and community input.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: I am open to exploring flexible lot sizes in appropriate areas, especially where infrastructure can support it and where it aligns with neighborhood context. Creating opportunities for starter homes can help young families build equity and stay in Tempe. That said, any changes must include community input and thoughtful design standards with the goal of increasing access without compromising livability.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes. Smaller lot sizes allow for more attainable starter homes, which Tempe desperately needs if we want young families and first-time buyers to start their lives here, and if we want housing that seniors can downsize into in order to free up existing larger housing stock. Pairing this with a variety of density options, like duplexes, triplexes, and cottage courts, can diversify our housing stock without disrupting neighborhood character.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.

Smaller lots create attainable entry level homeownership opportunities. Not every family needs a large lot. Many want an affordable home in a safe neighborhood close to schools and jobs.

Reducing minimum lot sizes is one tool to bring back the concept of the starter home in Tempe.

Would you support lowering parking requirements for affordable housing projects?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes. I also support lowering parking requirements in general.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: This must be taken on a case by case basis, especially near transit corridors. Reducing parking requirements can lower construction costs and make projects more financially feasible. However, these decisions must be made carefully to avoid shifting parking impacts onto surrounding neighborhoods’ streets. 

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: In certain areas, particularly near transit corridors, reducing parking requirements can lower development costs, increase affordability, and, in the long run, reduce traffic. That said, parking decisions must reflect neighborhood conditions and real transportation options so we should use data and community input to guide these adjustments.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes. Parking minimums significantly increase construction costs, and reducing them for affordable projects allows more units to be built within the same footprint. This not only aligns with Tempe’s climate goals but it also supports walkability, especially when paired with transit access and shaded pedestrian routes.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.

Parking requirements can significantly increase development costs. If a project is near transit, jobs, and amenities, we should allow flexibility.

Reducing unnecessary parking mandates for affordable housing lowers construction costs, and that savings can translate directly into lower rents.

Would you support lowering parking requirements for student housing projects?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: Potentially, but only where transit access supports it. Student housing near light rail, streetcar, or high-frequency bus service may justify different parking standards. The key is ensuring traffic and neighborhood impacts are understood and addressed.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Near ASU and high-frequency transit, it may make sense to revisit parking ratios, especially if data shows students are relying less on personal vehicles. However, we must carefully evaluate spillover impacts on nearby neighborhoods so, again as above, any adjustment should be data-driven and context-specific. 

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes, especially near transit, bike networks, and ASU, where students are already less car-dependent. Lowering parking requirements reduces costs while encouraging student housing to be built in the right places, freeing up other housing types for families and workers.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.

Tempe is home to Arizona State University. Students are one of our largest populations, and many rely on walking, biking, and transit. Requiring high parking ratios in dense, transit rich areas is outdated policy.

Smart planning means aligning parking requirements with actual transportation behavior.

How would you make Tempe an attractive place for families to move?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Use public resources to expand public programs that reduce the cost of housing, transportation, nutrition, and childcare for working families.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: Families choose Tempe because of our safe neighborhoods, good parks, strong schools, and reliable infrastructure so we must remain focused on that. I’ve invested in full remodels of parks like Clark Park, improved pavement citywide, and supported early childhood programs. I want Tempe to remain welcoming, community-oriented, and safe.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Families are drawn to safe neighborhoods, strong schools, quality parks, and economic opportunity – Tempe has that but protecting it takes work. Over my time on Council I have supported investments in public safety, parks and recreation, safe routes to school, and partnerships that strengthen our education pipeline. Once re-elected you can bet those will continue to be my priorities because Tempe has been and always will be my home so I feel a strong sense of pride in our community.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Families want attainable housing, safe streets, strong parks, and good schools, and Tempe has the foundation to offer all of that. I would expand family-friendly housing options by supporting ADUs, mixed-income developments on city-owned land, and starter-home zoning reforms that help young families put down roots. I’d also invest in shaded sidewalks, traffic-calming near schools and parks, and deeper partnerships with our school districts so families feel supported not just in their homes, but in their neighborhoods and daily lives.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Families look for three things. Strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and housing options that
grow with them.

We must continue investing in school partnerships, youth safety programs, and neighborhood services. I have worked to support student safety initiatives and community based programs that strengthen families.

We also need housing diversity. Single family homes, townhomes, condos, and multigenerational options so grandparents, parents, and children can live near one another.

Finally, workforce investment matters. When families have stable, good paying jobs and access to transportation, they put down roots. That is how you build generational stability in a city.

What specific policy changes would you champion on city council to promote housing affordability? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Expanded density bonus programs; Public housing developments; Permanent supportive housing; the housing first model of addressing homelessness; rent stabilization for city owned, insured, financed, and subsidized housing.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: I will continue expanding public-private housing partnerships, preserve existing affordable units, and explore incentives for attainable housing in appropriate areas. I also support faster permitting for projects that include affordability and infrastructure improvements. The goal must be increasing supply without sacrificing neighborhood stability.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: I will continue supporting inclusionary housing strategies, faster permitting for projects that include affordable units, and strategic use of city-owned land for workforce and affordable housing such as the Dorsey Station development. I also support expanding partnerships with nonprofit housing providers and ensuring developments near transit include affordability components. Consistent, practical steps will move us forward.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: I would expand Hometown for All, legalize and streamline ADUs with more pre-approved plans, and prioritize mixed-income housing on city-owned land. I’d also champion a preservation strategy for naturally affordable apartments and explore community-land-trust partnerships to create permanently affordable homes.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE:
I will continue to champion the following:

• Reducing minimum lot sizes in appropriate zones
• Updating zoning to allow missing middle housing like duplexes and townhomes
• Lowering parking minimums near transit corridors
• Expanding inclusionary housing incentives
• Accelerating permitting timelines for mixed income projects
• Aggressively pursuing HUD and state housing grants
• Partnering with Habitat for Humanity and nonprofit builders
• Exploring community land trusts to preserve long term affordability
• Incentivizing transit oriented development
• Encouraging employer assisted housing programs

Housing policy must be proactive. If we do not act strategically, affordability will continue to drift out of reach.

How would you support multimodal transit and bike infrastructure in Tempe? Should Tempe expand protected bike lanes? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Decrease wait times for orbit buses and Streetcar by increasing the number of buses and streetcars on the road; expanding neighborhood circulator routes; make streetcar free again; build dedicated bike paths, and install protected bike lines on all major East/West surface streets, then all major north/south surface streets.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: I support expanding protected bike lanes where they improve safety and connectivity, especially along major corridors. Multimodal options make Tempe more livable and reduce congestion but safety, above all else, must be our continued focus which is why I recently convened a committee on E-Bikes and Scooters to rapidly address safety issues there.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: I can say that Tempe works best when residents have real transportation choices because we must keep working to reduce car traffic however possible. I support expanding safe bike infrastructure, including protected bike lanes where appropriate, improving pedestrian safety, and maintaining strong transit connections. Investments should be guided by safety data and connectivity needs because a balanced, multimodal system improves quality of life and reduces congestion.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Tempe should absolutely expand protected bike lanes and close the gaps in our existing network. As our budget allows, I would also invest in shade, lighting, and safer crossings, and prioritize routes near schools, parks, and transit so biking and walking are realistic options for people of all ages.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes, especially near schools, ASU, major employment hubs, and high density residential areas.

Tempe should continue expanding protected bike lanes and improving safe crossings. Bike and pedestrian safety is not just about recreation. It is about economic access and public health.

We must design infrastructure that supports renters, students, and working families who rely on alternatives to car ownership.

How would you promote transit ridership and improve the frequency and reliability of public transit in Tempe? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: I would increase the number of buses and streetcars on the current routes to decrease wait times, work with the Maricopa transit authority to expand orbit bus route coverage, partner with the city of Mesa to expand streetcar, and focus on expanding and securing funding for our fare-free programs.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: As Chair of Valley Metro’s RPTA Board, I’ve worked hard to make sure Tempe receives its fair share of regional transit funding. I’ve supported and will continue to support investments in buses, light rail, and streetcar, including securing federal funding for fleet upgrades. We must align land use with transit corridors and continue improving service reliability. When transit is safe, convenient, and dependable, ridership follows.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Transit must be reliable, safe, and convenient to attract riders. I support regional partnerships like the proposed expansion of the Street Car into Mesa that improve frequency on high-demand routes and better connect neighborhoods to jobs and schools. I also am proud of the work the Tempe Orbit does to help residents solve the last mile problem and am always looking for ways to improve it.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: We need more frequent service on high-ridership routes, better first-mile/last-mile connections, and create a targeted low-fare or free-fare program for seniors, like the one we have for Tempe students. Upgrading bus stops with shade, seating, and real-time arrival information will also make transit more reliable and comfortable for everyday riders.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: We need creativity and partnership.

I will champion working with Valley Metro and developers to establish a renter transit pass program. I want to encourage developers to include monthly transit passes in lease agreements, especially in high density and affordable housing projects.

I also want to work with major employers to create bulk transit pass partnerships and ride share incentives for employees. When businesses invest in transit benefits, ridership increases.

Additionally, we should expand transit oriented development, improve last mile connections with bike lanes and safe sidewalks, advocate regionally for increased service frequency, and explore employer supported shuttle or ride share partnerships.

Transit must be convenient, frequent, and reliable. When it is, people use it.

Some answers may be lightly edited for format or grammar. Responses are listed in the order received.

Do you believe Tempe is in a housing shortage?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: Yes, we are feeling real pressure in our housing market. Demand continues to outpace supply, especially for attainable housing for working families, seniors, and young professionals. That doesn’t mean every project is the right project, but it does mean we need thoughtful, balanced growth. My focus is increasing supply while protecting neighborhood character.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Tempe is experiencing real housing pressure. Demand is high because we are a desirable place to live, work, and study, placing strain on both renters and homebuyers. While we have added units in recent years, affordability remains a challenge we are working to address for families, seniors, and young professionals. We are making progress but need continued thoughtful, steady action that understands this is not an issue that will be solved overnight. I will bring that leadership.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes. Tempe is landlocked and losing naturally affordable homes faster than we can replace them, which is pushing seniors, students, and working families out of the city. We need to increase supply through available tools like expanding Hometown for All, streamlining permitting for ADUs, and building more mixed‑income housing if we want to stabilize rents and keep people rooted here.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.
Tempe is one of the most desirable cities in Arizona. People want to live here. Students, families, seniors, entrepreneurs, and workforce professionals. When demand continues to outpace supply, prices rise. That is basic economics.

We are not just experiencing a housing shortage. We are experiencing a housing mismatch. We need more units, and we need the right types of units at different price points.

How should Tempe address housing affordability? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Use density bonus programs to incentivize the development of affordable housing, rental subsidies and rent stabilization policies to support tenants, and public housing developments to create a public housing option that will provide sub-market rate and permanent supportive housing.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: We need a practical, multi-tool approach. That includes strengthening public-private partnerships like Hometown for All, preserving naturally affordable housing, and streamlining permitting for projects that include meaningful affordability components. Affordability, neighborhood engagement, and livability can and must all be done simultaneously.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: There is no single solution. We should continue encouraging affordable and middle housing near transit centers, use incentives like “Hometown for All” to include affordable units in new developments, and partner with nonprofits to expand options for residents with the greatest needs. At the same time, we must do all this while protecting neighborhood character and ensuring our city’s infrastructure keeps pace with growth. Balanced planning is key.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: We need a multi-layered strategy that increases supply, preserves existing affordable units, and ensures new development includes homes for a range of incomes. Strengthening Hometown for All, exploring long-term ground leases and partnering with nonprofits and YIGBY churches for long-term affordability, and using city-owned land to build mixed-income housing are all practical steps Tempe can take right now.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Affordability requires a multi lane strategy. There is no single silver bullet.

First, we must increase supply across the housing spectrum. Starter homes, townhomes, condos, workforce housing, and affordable rental units. When supply grows responsibly, pressure on prices stabilizes.

Second, we need to reduce regulatory barriers that unnecessarily drive up costs. Lengthy approval processes, excessive parking mandates, and outdated zoning can add tens of thousands of dollars per unit. We can modernize policy while protecting neighborhood character.

Third, we should expand public private partnerships. I want Tempe aggressively pursuing HUD funding, state housing grants, and innovative financing tools to support mixed income projects.

Fourth, we must support pathways to ownership. That includes working with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, expanding awareness of down payment assistance programs, and exploring land trust models that preserve long term affordability.

Affordability is about access. It is about giving teachers, nurses, small business owners, and young professionals a fair shot at living in the city they serve.

Do you support reducing minimum lot sizes to allow starter homes to be built? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: I’m open to creative solutions that increase attainable homeownership, but I don’t support one-size-fits-all zoning changes. Any reduction in lot size must be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure capacity and we need to work with residents before making those decisions. Smart growth requires balance and community input.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: I am open to exploring flexible lot sizes in appropriate areas, especially where infrastructure can support it and where it aligns with neighborhood context. Creating opportunities for starter homes can help young families build equity and stay in Tempe. That said, any changes must include community input and thoughtful design standards with the goal of increasing access without compromising livability.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes. Smaller lot sizes allow for more attainable starter homes, which Tempe desperately needs if we want young families and first-time buyers to start their lives here, and if we want housing that seniors can downsize into in order to free up existing larger housing stock. Pairing this with a variety of density options, like duplexes, triplexes, and cottage courts, can diversify our housing stock without disrupting neighborhood character.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.

Smaller lots create attainable entry level homeownership opportunities. Not every family needs a large lot. Many want an affordable home in a safe neighborhood close to schools and jobs.

Reducing minimum lot sizes is one tool to bring back the concept of the starter home in Tempe.

Would you support lowering parking requirements for affordable housing projects?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes. I also support lowering parking requirements in general.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: This must be taken on a case by case basis, especially near transit corridors. Reducing parking requirements can lower construction costs and make projects more financially feasible. However, these decisions must be made carefully to avoid shifting parking impacts onto surrounding neighborhoods’ streets. 

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: In certain areas, particularly near transit corridors, reducing parking requirements can lower development costs, increase affordability, and, in the long run, reduce traffic. That said, parking decisions must reflect neighborhood conditions and real transportation options so we should use data and community input to guide these adjustments.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes. Parking minimums significantly increase construction costs, and reducing them for affordable projects allows more units to be built within the same footprint. This not only aligns with Tempe’s climate goals but it also supports walkability, especially when paired with transit access and shaded pedestrian routes.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.

Parking requirements can significantly increase development costs. If a project is near transit, jobs, and amenities, we should allow flexibility.

Reducing unnecessary parking mandates for affordable housing lowers construction costs, and that savings can translate directly into lower rents.

Would you support lowering parking requirements for student housing projects?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Yes.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: Potentially, but only where transit access supports it. Student housing near light rail, streetcar, or high-frequency bus service may justify different parking standards. The key is ensuring traffic and neighborhood impacts are understood and addressed.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Near ASU and high-frequency transit, it may make sense to revisit parking ratios, especially if data shows students are relying less on personal vehicles. However, we must carefully evaluate spillover impacts on nearby neighborhoods so, again as above, any adjustment should be data-driven and context-specific. 

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Yes, especially near transit, bike networks, and ASU, where students are already less car-dependent. Lowering parking requirements reduces costs while encouraging student housing to be built in the right places, freeing up other housing types for families and workers.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes.

Tempe is home to Arizona State University. Students are one of our largest populations, and many rely on walking, biking, and transit. Requiring high parking ratios in dense, transit rich areas is outdated policy.

Smart planning means aligning parking requirements with actual transportation behavior.

How would you make Tempe an attractive place for families to move?

BOBBY NICHOLS: Use public resources to expand public programs that reduce the cost of housing, transportation, nutrition, and childcare for working families.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: Families choose Tempe because of our safe neighborhoods, good parks, strong schools, and reliable infrastructure so we must remain focused on that. I’ve invested in full remodels of parks like Clark Park, improved pavement citywide, and supported early childhood programs. I want Tempe to remain welcoming, community-oriented, and safe.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Families are drawn to safe neighborhoods, strong schools, quality parks, and economic opportunity – Tempe has that but protecting it takes work. Over my time on Council I have supported investments in public safety, parks and recreation, safe routes to school, and partnerships that strengthen our education pipeline. Once re-elected you can bet those will continue to be my priorities because Tempe has been and always will be my home so I feel a strong sense of pride in our community.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Families want attainable housing, safe streets, strong parks, and good schools, and Tempe has the foundation to offer all of that. I would expand family-friendly housing options by supporting ADUs, mixed-income developments on city-owned land, and starter-home zoning reforms that help young families put down roots. I’d also invest in shaded sidewalks, traffic-calming near schools and parks, and deeper partnerships with our school districts so families feel supported not just in their homes, but in their neighborhoods and daily lives.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Families look for three things. Strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and housing options that
grow with them.

We must continue investing in school partnerships, youth safety programs, and neighborhood services. I have worked to support student safety initiatives and community based programs
that strengthen families.

We also need housing diversity. Single family homes, townhomes, condos, and multigenerational options so grandparents, parents, and children can live near one another.

Finally, workforce investment matters. When families have stable, good paying jobs and access to transportation, they put down roots. That is how you build generational stability in a city.

What specific policy changes would you champion on city council to promote housing affordability? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Expanded density bonus programs; Public housing developments; Permanent supportive housing; the housing first model of addressing homelessness; rent stabilization for city owned, insured, financed, and subsidized housing.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: I will continue expanding public-private housing partnerships, preserve existing affordable units, and explore incentives for attainable housing in appropriate areas. I also support faster permitting for projects that include affordability and infrastructure improvements. The goal must be increasing supply without sacrificing neighborhood stability.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: I will continue supporting inclusionary housing strategies, faster permitting for projects that include affordable units, and strategic use of city-owned land for workforce and affordable housing such as the Dorsey Station development. I also support expanding partnerships with nonprofit housing providers and ensuring developments near transit include affordability components. Consistent, practical steps will move us forward.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: I would expand Hometown for All, legalize and streamline ADUs with more pre-approved plans, and prioritize mixed-income housing on city-owned land. I’d also champion a preservation strategy for naturally affordable apartments and explore community-land-trust partnerships to create permanently affordable homes.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE:
I will continue to champion the following:

• Reducing minimum lot sizes in appropriate zones
• Updating zoning to allow missing middle housing like duplexes and townhomes
• Lowering parking minimums near transit corridors
• Expanding inclusionary housing incentives
• Accelerating permitting timelines for mixed income projects
• Aggressively pursuing HUD and state housing grants
• Partnering with Habitat for Humanity and nonprofit builders
• Exploring community land trusts to preserve long term affordability
• Incentivizing transit oriented development
• Encouraging employer assisted housing programs

Housing policy must be proactive. If we do not act strategically, affordability will continue to drift out of reach.

How would you support multimodal transit and bike infrastructure in Tempe? Should Tempe expand protected bike lanes? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: Decrease wait times for orbit buses and Streetcar by increasing the number of buses and streetcars on the road; expanding neighborhood circulator routes; make streetcar free again; build dedicated bike paths, and install protected bike lines on all major East/West surface streets, then all major north/south surface streets.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: I support expanding protected bike lanes where they improve safety and connectivity, especially along major corridors. Multimodal options make Tempe more livable and reduce congestion but safety, above all else, must be our continued focus which is why I recently convened a committee on E-Bikes and Scooters to rapidly address safety issues there.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: I can say that Tempe works best when residents have real transportation choices because we must keep working to reduce car traffic however possible. I support expanding safe bike infrastructure, including protected bike lanes where appropriate, improving pedestrian safety, and maintaining strong transit connections. Investments should be guided by safety data and connectivity needs because a balanced, multimodal system improves quality of life and reduces congestion.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: Tempe should absolutely expand protected bike lanes and close the gaps in our existing network. As our budget allows, I would also invest in shade, lighting, and safer crossings, and prioritize routes near schools, parks, and transit so biking and walking are realistic options for people of all ages.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: Yes, especially near schools, ASU, major employment hubs, and high density residential areas.

Tempe should continue expanding protected bike lanes and improving safe crossings. Bike and pedestrian safety is not just about recreation. It is about economic access and public health.

We must design infrastructure that supports renters, students, and working families who rely on alternatives to car ownership.

How would you promote transit ridership and improve the frequency and reliability of public transit in Tempe? 

BOBBY NICHOLS: I would increase the number of buses and streetcars on the current routes to decrease wait times, work with the Maricopa transit authority to expand orbit bus route coverage, partner with the city of Mesa to expand streetcar, and focus on expanding and securing funding for our fare-free programs.

COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER ADAMS: As Chair of Valley Metro’s RPTA Board, I’ve worked hard to make sure Tempe receives its fair share of regional transit funding. I’ve supported and will continue to support investments in buses, light rail, and streetcar, including securing federal funding for fleet upgrades. We must align land use with transit corridors and continue improving service reliability. When transit is safe, convenient, and dependable, ridership follows.

COUNCILMEMBER ARLENE CHIN: Transit must be reliable, safe, and convenient to attract riders. I support regional partnerships like the proposed expansion of the Street Car into Mesa that improve frequency on high-demand routes and better connect neighborhoods to jobs and schools. I also am proud of the work the Tempe Orbit does to help residents solve the last mile problem and am always looking for ways to improve it.

BROOKE ST. GEORGE: We need more frequent service on high-ridership routes, better first-mile/last-mile connections, and create a targeted low-fare or free-fare program for seniors, like the one we have for Tempe students. Upgrading bus stops with shade, seating, and real-time arrival information will also make transit more reliable and comfortable for everyday riders.

COUNCILMEMBER BERDETTA HODGE: We need creativity and partnership.

I will champion working with Valley Metro and developers to establish a renter transit pass program. I want to encourage developers to include monthly transit passes in lease agreements, especially in high density and affordable housing projects.

I also want to work with major employers to create bulk transit pass partnerships and ride share incentives for employees. When businesses invest in transit benefits, ridership increases.

Additionally, we should expand transit oriented development, improve last mile connections with bike lanes and safe sidewalks, advocate regionally for increased service frequency, and explore employer supported shuttle or ride share partnerships.

Transit must be convenient, frequent, and reliable. When it is, people use it.