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When people think of therapy, they often picture themselves talking to a counselor while lying on a couch in an office. While this type of talk therapy can be effective, some people prefer other methods. EMDR therapy in Maricopa, AZ, is an option for those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other issues. Though different from traditional modalities, many patients reshape their lives and reclaim their well-being with the help of EMDR therapist Christy Maxey. If you have difficulty expressing your thoughts and feelings verbally, EMDR therapy could be a helpful alternative.
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Healing That Helps You Get Unstuck

Every person grows and learns in different ways. To that point, every counselor or guide has their own techniques and exercises to help clients. Not every method is effective for everyone, but with the right guidance, you can defeat your inner demons and recapture your life. That's where Christy Maxey thrives.
Christy is a trauma EMDR coach dedicated to empowering people with the knowledge of true self-love. She aims to help men and women overcome negative self-talk and patterns and finally live the fulfilling life they deserve. Christy has a special focus on supporting women who experience anxiety, depression, lack of self-trust, people-pleasing, and feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, she's an expert in helping men who are navigating anger, stress, and relationship challenges.

If you have received help from therapists and life coaches in the past but find yourself falling back into the same patterns as before, know that you're not alone. The simple truth could be that whatever problem you were trying to face was left unresolved.
Essentially, you cut the top of the weed, but you didn't pull out the entire root. In a sense, you put a band-aid on a serious wound when you needed more comprehensive, specialized treatment. Unlike many life coaches, Christy Maxey aims to solve the root cause of your mental and physical symptoms. By addressing the cause of your issues, you can reclaim your life and move forward without the baggage you've carried for so long. Take it from us - it's an incredible feeling!
Some of the most common problems that Christy helps solve for patients include:
- Difficulty Dealing with the Emotional Content at the Center of Their Problems
- A Lack of Resistance to and Awareness of "What Is"
- Fear and Uncertainty About Making Changes
- Fear of Getting Compassionate Help and Guidance
- Believing False Narratives Associated with Past Traumas and Experiences
What is EMDR Therapy in Maricopa, AZ?

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a technique that assists people in recovering from the effects of distressing life experiences, such as emotional distress and symptoms.
Created by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 as a treatment method for post-traumatic stress disorder, EMDR is an evidence-based treatment approach that provides both trauma-informed treatment and treatment protocol. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR employs bilateral stimulation to replicate the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep. In fact, EMDR treatments have shown that the mind can heal from psychological trauma faster than traditional talk therapy.
Traumatic events often lead to negative beliefs and emotions, such as shame, anger, and sadness. EMDR enables your brain to reprocess such events, promoting healing, well-being, and positivity in patients.
If you're wondering whether or not EMDR treatment from Christy Maxey might be a good choice for you and your family, ask yourself these questions:
- Do You Feel Stuck in Your Life?
- Do You Find Yourself Stuck Feeling the Same Types of Fear, Sadness, or Anxiety?
- Have You Grown Accustomed to a Negative Inner Critic?
- Do You Feel Stuck with Feelings of Shame from Past Mistakes or Traumas?
- Are You Always Repeating the Same Patterns in Relationships? Too Nice, Too Accepting, Avoidant, Easy to Get Triggered, Etc.?
- Is Your Brain Full of Self-Doubt and Harmful Self-Talk?


How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

Once it's agreed that EMDR therapy is suitable for you, your initial sessions involve discussing your goals and enhancing your ability to cope with stress. In the following phases of EMDR therapy, you concentrate on a specific event or focus on a negative image, belief, emotion, or bodily sensation related to the event. You then focus on a positive belief indicating that the issue has been resolved.
While you're focused on the upsetting event, Christy begins sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. After each set, you are guided to observe what comes to mind. Shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs about the event may occur. It should be noted that you can stop therapy at any moment if necessary. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps will be repeated until distress caused by the event decreases. EMDR therapy can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other forms of therapy offered through the Maxx Method.
To help paint you a picture of how EMDR therapy works, think of it like a cast for a broken bone. Unlike other forms of therapy, however, EMDR can be more uncomfortable than traditional treatments. It's important to be ready for possible emotional exhaustion afterward. To cope, you can create a relaxing playlist and plan some activities to unwind. Once the sessions are finished, take some time to recharge and decompress.
Who Should Use EMDR Therapy in Maricopa, AZ?

EMDR therapy is something anyone can benefit from. It's not only reserved for people with extreme experiences or traumas. Even mild cases of anxiety and depression can be treated by a trained EMDR coach like Christy Maxey. When you remember something that reminds you of a bad experience, your body might react like it's in danger, even if it's not. This is a normal reaction, but if it keeps happening, it can make you feel really stressed out. With EMDR, you can heal and learn new ways to cope without having to talk about exactly what happened. This can help you feel better and live your life without over-worrying and ruminating on negativity.
If you're one of the many people who have experienced lackluster results from one or more EMDR sessions, it's crucial that you do not give up hope. In fact, many men and women come to Christy Maxey having had poor EMDR experiences. Thankfully, they soon realize how impactful and fulfilling the therapy can be for trauma. That's especially true when combined with other therapies like Inner Child Healing and Guided Visualization. Of course, EMDR therapy in Maricopa, AZ, isn't the best choice for every patient - after all, every person is different and responds to therapies in different ways.
To truly discover if EMDR therapy is the right choice for your mind and body, contact Christy ASAP to schedule your initial consultation. That way, you and Christy can get to know each other better and discover the best ways to promote long-term healing and well-being. With that said, patients choose EMDR treatments for many reasons. Some of the most common reasons for using EMDR therapy include the following:
- Panic Attacks and Anxiety
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome)
- Eating Disorders like Bulimia, Anorexia, and More
- Trauma from Abuse and Violence
- Abusive or Violent Relationships
- Rest and Sleep Problems
- Social Anxiety
- Depression
- Childhood Trauma and Abuse
- Anger and Sadness
- Fear of Speaking in Public
- Betrayal and Grief

The Life-Changing Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Though EMDR therapy is more popular than ever, many people are still unaware of its benefits and how life-changing the therapy can be for people who are stuck. If that sounds like you, keep these benefits in mind as you continue to research this amazing therapy choice.

Triumph Over Trauma
Recovering from a traumatic experience can be extremely challenging, but EMDR therapy can provide a solution. Trauma can create triggers that make you feel like you're experiencing the event all over again. EMDR can help reorganize the thoughts, feelings, and experiences associated with the trauma so that you no longer feel controlled by it. While the effects of trauma may never completely disappear, EMDR can significantly reduce its impact on your life and enable you to live in the present without constantly reliving the past.

Enhance Your Mental Fortitude
Achieving personal growth involves accepting one's identity, building self-esteem, and understanding the internal narratives that shape our daily experiences. EMDR and guided therapeutic processing can help create a peaceful, efficient, and confident setting for individuals to accept their past and move forward. This therapeutic process empowers individuals, providing them with the strength and courage to confront any obstacle that impedes their well-being.

Reshape Your Life
During EMDR therapy sessions, traumatic events are broken down, enabling patients to gain a different perspective on negative events. This altered view can be as life-changing as the traumatic event itself, giving individuals greater control over how they adapt to the effects of trauma.

Overcome Circular Thinking
If you struggle with circular thinking patterns related to anxiety disorders, phobias, or generalized anxiety, EMDR therapy may be helpful. EMDR can assist you in overcoming these thought spirals by teaching you how to deal with your fears and worries without becoming overwhelmed by anxiety.

Understanding the Phases of EMDR Therapy in Maricopa, AZ

According to the EMDR Institute, there are eight phases in traditional EMDR treatment:
The EMDR Institute has identified eight phases of EMDR therapy. These are:
- History and Treatment Planning
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation

History and Treatment Planning
During the initial stage of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Christy will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your medical and emotional history and create a treatment plan. This stage involves discussing the particular issue that led you to seek therapy. You'll also identify behaviors and symptoms associated with the issues you're facing. Based on this information, Christy will develop a personalized treatment plan that outlines the goals to be addressed using EMDR therapy in Maricopa, AZ:
- The Traumas or Events Causing Issues
- Present-Day Problems and Traumas Causing Distress
- Healthy Behaviors and Skills Needed for Long-Term Well-Being

Preparation
During this phase, Christy will explain the theory of EMDR, how it is applied, and what you can expect during and after treatment. Christy will then teach you several techniques for relaxation so that you have the tools to calm down in the event of emotional disturbance.
One of the biggest goals of this first phase is to establish trust between you and your EMDR coach. While you don't have to go into great detail about disturbing memories, if you don't trust your therapist, you may not accurately report what is felt and what changes you are or aren't experiencing. If your goal is to please the therapist and say you feel better when you really aren't, no therapy in the world will resolve your trauma.

Assessment
In this phase, you will be prompted to access each target in a controlled manner so it can be effectively processed. Processing does not mean talking about it. From there, Christy identifies different parts of the target to be processed. The first step is for you to select a specific image or mental picture from the target event (identified during Phase One) that best represents the memory.
You then choose a positive statement that you would like to believe. The statement should have an internal sense of control, such as "I am valuable/lovable/a good person/in control" or "I can achieve success." In some cases, when the primary emotion is fear, such as after a natural disaster, the negative thought could be "I am in danger," and the positive thought could be "I am safe now." "I am in danger" is considered a negative thought because fear is no longer necessary, but it is still present in the nervous system. The positive thought should reflect what is appropriate in the present moment.
During this phase, you will also identify negative emotions like anger or fear and physical sensations that you associate with trauma.

Desensitization
This phase of EMDR therapy in Maricopa, AZ, hones in on the disturbing sensations and emotions associated with your trauma and the ways that you respond to it. In doing so, patients often resolve similar events as well. The goal of this phase is to use sounds, taps, or eye movements with shifting focus until your subjective disturbance levels are lowered.

Installation
The goal here is to concentrate on the positive belief that you have identified to replace your negative belief(s). For example, you may have suffered child abuse in your younger years and hold the negative belief that you are powerless. Christy will help strengthen and install positive cognitions that reinforce the fact that you are in control, not the negative thoughts and emotions keeping you stuck.

Body Scan
Research into EMDR sessions indicates that physical responses to unresolved thoughts are common. After your positive cognition is fortified and installed, Christy will ask that you bring the original target event to the forefront of your mind. If she notices any additional body tension, those physical sensations are reprocessed. If you do not have any body tension or symptoms present when your original target event is brought up, your EMDR session is considered successful.

Closure
Typical EMDR sessions end with closure and a debriefing on what you can expect between your current and subsequent EMDR sessions. If necessary, Christy will provide calming techniques that you can use outside of therapy. This part of the EMDR process ensures that you leave Christy's office feeling better than you did at the beginning of the session.

Reevaluation
This phase gives Christy insight into any other treatment plans that may be necessary for your healing and well-being. Like any type of sound therapy, reevaluation is critical in determining the success of your EMDR treatment over a period of time.
Reshape Your Life with EMDR Therapy from Christy Maxey

Regardless of the events and trauma keeping you stuck, EMDR might be a viable solution for reclaiming your life. Christy Maxey provides patients with the safe space needed to do so. If you're ready to let go of past or present traumas and reclaim your love of life, EMDR therapy could be the first step on your healing journey. Contact our office today to learn more about the Maxx Method, EMDR therapy in Maricopa, AZ, EMDR online, and how Christy Maxey can help you defeat the inner demons holding you back.
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Latest News in Maricopa, AZ
Arizona's Maricopa County shatters record for heat deaths
Denise Chowhttps://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/arizonas-maricopa-county-shatters-record-heat-deaths-rcna122478
Health officials in Arizona’s Maricopa County reported nearly 500 heat-related deaths this summer, making 2023 the region’s deadliest year on record when it comes to extreme temperatures.In its latest weekly heat report, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said th...
Health officials in Arizona’s Maricopa County reported nearly 500 heat-related deaths this summer, making 2023 the region’s deadliest year on record when it comes to extreme temperatures.
In its latest weekly heat report, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health said there have been 469 confirmed heat-associated deaths so far this year, with an additional 153 deaths still under investigation.
That number surpasses the previous record set last year of 425 heat-associated deaths in the county.
Across the United States, extreme heat causes more deaths each year than any other weather event, including floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. That threat is expected to worsen in the years ahead, as studies have shown that climate change is increasing the frequency, severity and persistence of extreme heat events.
Arizona county confirms 7 heat deaths in 7 days
July 27, 202301:49
This summer, Arizona and other parts of the Southwest sweltered through weeks of temperatures well into the triple digits.
In Phoenix, which is in Maricopa County, residents endured 31 back-to-back days of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in July, a milestone that shattered the city’s previous heat record of 18 consecutive days above 110 degrees set in 1974.
Also in July, Maricopa County saw huge spikes in heat-associated deaths as daily high temperatures neared 120. In one week alone, from July 16 to July 22, there were around 150 heat-related deaths in the county, according to the report.
More than 60% of the confirmed heat-associated deaths in Maricopa County were in adults over the age of 50. People 50 to 64 were most affected by extreme heat, accounting for 29% of heat-related deaths in the county.
Health officials said individuals experiencing homelessness accounted for 44% of heat-associated deaths, while 45% of deaths were among the housed population. In 11% of the deaths, the person’s living situation was not known, according to the report.
White, non-Hispanic individuals made up 58% of the heat-associated deaths in the county, with Hispanic or Latino making up 23% of deaths and Black or African American individuals making up 13% of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County.
Health officials said 122 deaths occurred indoors, of which 92 were discovered with nonfunctioning air conditioning and 11 with no air conditioning present at all.
Even in nonfatal cases, heat still posed a major public health threat in Arizona. Hospital visits in Maricopa County spiked throughout July and early August, as temperatures soared well over 100 degrees, according to the report.
Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.
Maricopa County, Arizona’s, new CIO started as a pet recovery tech
Keely Quinlanhttps://statescoop.com/richard-mchattie-maricopa-county-arizona/
Richard McHattie, the new chief information officer of Maricopa County, Arizona, started his career putting RFID chips in pets.By Keely Quinlan June 29, 2023 It’s now been just over a month since Richard McHattie became the chief information officer of Maricopa County, Arizona, and he has ha...
Richard McHattie, the new chief information officer of Maricopa County, Arizona, started his career putting RFID chips in pets.
June 29, 2023
It’s now been just over a month since Richard McHattie became the chief information officer of Maricopa County, Arizona, and he has had quite the unique path to becoming the top tech official in the nation’s fourth-largest county.
Before becoming the top tech official of Maricopa County, which contains Phoenix, McHattie served for five years as chief technology and innovation officer at the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court. In that role, McHattie managed the systems for processing paper and electronic court records, which he estimated was the largest document-management system in the state.
He said his team implemented new processes by using artificial intelligence and robotic process automation. Such emerging technologies, he said, were his main focus in transforming how the court did business.
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“We can talk about all the cool technology that’s out there, but the only thing that really matters in the end is that we’ve delivered some new capability for our business to help them improve their service delivery or improve their impact to their customers,” McHattie told StateScoop.
Before spending 17 years with the county, though, McHattie started his career as an entrepreneur while attending college at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
He said his parents — who traveled around showing dogs — came across a then-new technology that involved implanting RFID chips in dogs instead of tattooing their ears. McHattie’s family turned it into a business.
“We built that into a true identification and recovery system across the United States and Canada,” he told StateScoop. “It was really meaningful work, trying to recover lost pets and get them home safely. So we worked a lot with veterinarians and Animal Care and Control and humane society to really do everything we could to identify all these animals and bring them home safely.”
He said the experience instilled in him an ethos of being passionate about his work, a characteristic McHattie said he still carries with him.
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“And I think to this day, that still sort of sits with me that the most compelling thing you can do is really have a purpose and a passion for what you’re doing,” he said.
McHattie’s appointment as CIO is a return to the county’s Office of Enterprise Technology, the department that provides technology support across more than 50 departments. Before joining the Superior Court, McHattie served as the county’s deputy and interim CIO.
Though technology has changed since then, he said the main focus for his team of more than 200 employees will still be on creating and enhancing a modern and responsive government.
“I have an incredible executive team here, who are very talented technologists who get why we exist,” he said. “And we exist to provide new and improving capabilities for our our departments so they can improve their service delivery, they can shrink costs, where appropriate to meet the county’s goal for fiscal accountability.”
For passion projects, McHattie said that there are a number of initiatives he’s excited to tackle. One is the launch of an online citizen self-service portal, a “one-stop shop” for government services. Another is continuing to automate processes to save time for employees and improve the ease-of-access to all county services.
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“Anything we can do to transform in a digital perspective to enhance access to the county and enhance access to services is pretty exciting for us,” McHattie said. “And that’s kind of the journey we’re on right now.”
In This Story
Maricopa County eviction rates surge, could break October record
BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIRhttps://ktar.com/story/5542749/maricopa-county-eviction-rates-surge-could-break-october-record/
PHOENIX — Maricopa County evictions are continuing to rise and could break the record at the end of October.According to the county, 7,809 evictions were filed with the Maricopa County Justice Courts in September 2023. August also had high rates and sits as the third-highest month for evictions.The record is 7,902, which was set in August 2005.For the entire year of 2023 so far, there have been 61,526 eviction cases filed. The all-time high is 83,687 in 2005.Of the 26 court precincts in Maricopa County, five...
PHOENIX — Maricopa County evictions are continuing to rise and could break the record at the end of October.
According to the county, 7,809 evictions were filed with the Maricopa County Justice Courts in September 2023. August also had high rates and sits as the third-highest month for evictions.
The record is 7,902, which was set in August 2005.
For the entire year of 2023 so far, there have been 61,526 eviction cases filed. The all-time high is 83,687 in 2005.
Of the 26 court precincts in Maricopa County, five had the highest number of evictions filed: Manistee (517), Kyrene (514), Maryvale (505), Moon Valley (481) and Encanto (386).
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A snowball effect
Presiding Justice of the Peace Anna Huberman oversees many eviction cases in court, and she said it’s because people are one crisis away from having no money.
“Even folks who usually can pay their rent live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. And so, anything that’s unexpected puts them behind and makes it so they can’t pay their rent,” Huberman said.
This can start a snowball effect that leaves someone out of a home. Huberman adds that the problem is exasperated since affordable housing is in short supply. So, if someone is evicted, they may have few other options to find housing again.
Another factor that can lead to more completed evictions is that Arizona has a fast process once the case goes to court.
“Everything can occur very, very quickly. From the time someone misses a rent payment to the time they can get an eviction judgment against them can be as soon as 20 days,” she said.
Renters can “cure” their eviction case, but that is accomplished by paying a certain amount of money. So, if a renter is being evicted due to a lack of funds, Huberman said they likely cannot pay their way out of eviction either.
All this adds up to a harder economy for renters, and it is being reflected in these eviction rates. Between inflation and the price of rent itself, families and people on fixed incomes (like seniors) are simply being priced out.
“I had a gentleman today who was waiting to get disability and was being evicted. It’s just very difficult to see these people are being left without a home,” she said.
She also points out that the areas with the highest rates of evictions are also some of the denser parts of the county that are lined with many apartment complexes.
But Huberman still said these eviction rates are not just a result of more people and remains concerned about the rental market.
“You know, as the courts we don’t have the solution to that. We can just try to apply the law as humanely as possible,” she said.
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Dust storm warning issued for Maricopa County
Staff reportshttps://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-weather/2023/08/31/dust-storm-warning-issued-for-maricopa-county/70734207007/
The Arizona RepubicThe National Weather Service has issued a dust storm warning for Maricopa County that expires at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 31.Pinal County also was included in the warning.A wall of dust was extending along a line.Severe weather:Thunderstorm, dust storm warnings issued for Maricopa Co...
The Arizona Repubic
The National Weather Service has issued a dust storm warning for Maricopa County that expires at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 31.
Pinal County also was included in the warning.
A wall of dust was extending along a line.
Severe weather:Thunderstorm, dust storm warnings issued for Maricopa County
For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather alert page.
A "haboob" typically occurs in Arizona during monsoon. From June to September, large dust storms can occur across the state as high winds pick up loose dust.
"Haboob" is an Arabic word that translates to "big, blasting winds." explained Andrew Deemer, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Phoenix and former linguist.
Terminology:When did we start using haboob to describe dust storms in Arizona
What should I do in a dust storm if I am driving?
The Arizona Department of Transportation has helpful tips for drivers who may get stuck in a dust storm while driving. The "Pull Aside, Stay Alive" campaign aims to save drivers from dangerous situations by providing tips to survive a blowing dust event.
More information on dust storm safety can be found at PullAsideStayAlive.org and safety tips for driving in rainstorms can be found at azdot.gov/monsoon
This article was generated by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member.
Maricopa County sees record heat and record evictions in July
Jerod MacDonald-Evoyhttps://www.azmirror.com/2023/08/08/maricopa-county-sees-record-heat-and-record-evictions-in-july/
The month of July saw a record-breaking 31 days of continuous 110-degree heat in Phoenix — and as the heat rose, Maricopa County also saw the most eviction cases filed since 2008.More than 7,000 eviction cases were filed in July, with the highest case numbers happening in north Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Ahwatukee, Tempe and west Phoenix. The average judgment for eviction cases for the month of July was $3,179.24, according to Maricopa County Justice Courts spokesman Scott Davis.“I’ve seen my electric bill dou...
The month of July saw a record-breaking 31 days of continuous 110-degree heat in Phoenix — and as the heat rose, Maricopa County also saw the most eviction cases filed since 2008.
More than 7,000 eviction cases were filed in July, with the highest case numbers happening in north Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Ahwatukee, Tempe and west Phoenix. The average judgment for eviction cases for the month of July was $3,179.24, according to Maricopa County Justice Courts spokesman Scott Davis.
“I’ve seen my electric bill double. It’s always gone up but not this much,” Dominique Medina, co-executive director of Fuerte, which is working on the Rent is Too High initiative, told the Arizona Mirror. “That stuff leading to evictions should not be surprising to anyone.”
In June, the courts saw just shy of 7,000 filings, up 27% from the average number of filings Maricopa County has seen over the same time frame during the pandemic, according to Evictions Lab. However, an eviction moratorium was in place during the pandemic and suspended evictions for non-payment of rent due to COVID-19 related issues. Those protections ended in October 2020.
“People are getting evicted because they can’t afford the increasing rents,” said Ken Volk, president of Arizona Tenants Advocates. Rent in Arizona has skyrocketed as much as 80% in some areas from 2016 to 2021.
Not all eviction filings lead to a tenant being thrown out; up to one in three will be dismissed when tenants choose to pay and stay or the landlord does not pursue any court resolution, Davis said.
The dangers of an eviction during summer heat is worrisome for tenant advocates.
“This is inhumane, and our governor, our lawmakers, our cities, our counties on every level should be reacting and doing something about this,” Medina said. While many who are evicted will end up in new housing, the reality is that more evictions mean more people becoming unhoused and living on the streets, he added.
Volk echoed Medina’s sentiments, calling it a matter of “statewide concern.”
The solution both advocates are pushing for is rent control. Democratic lawmakers pushed a series of bills during the recently completed legislative session that would have scrapped Arizona’s ban on the practice and implemented a cap on rental increases across the state.
However, the bill was opposed by the state’s powerful landlord lobby and was never considered.
“The real issue is tenants can’t afford (rent). You’re bleeding them dry and there is only so much people can do before they’re living on the street,” Volk said. “How is it going to hurt the state to have rent control?”
Lawmakers did pass legislation that removed a rental tax levied by cities and towns on rental properties that was signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs, but Volk called it “crumbs.” Rental tax rates vary from city to city, but the average rate is 2.5%, or about $30 on a monthly rent of around $1,200.
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has been attempting to tackle the state’s affordable housing crisis since early in her tenure, but has been shy about answering policy related questions related to her plans. Her spokesman, Christian Slater, was similarly reticent to speak about potential future action when asked about the state’s continued high eviction numbers and advocates pushing for measures such as rental control.
“As a former social worker, Governor Hobbs knows that ensuring Arizonans have secure, safe and stable housing is critical,” Slater said in a statement to the Mirror. “That’s why she successfully negotiated a historic $150 million investment in the Housing Trust Fund and $60 million to tackle homelessness, extended the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and is assisting families in paying off their cooling bills.”
“Moving forward, she is committed to addressing Arizona’s housing crisis and fighting for affordable housing for middle class families by expanding the housing supply so Arizona can be the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Slater said in response to the Mirror’s questions about what policies the Governor would support. Slater did not address the Mirror’s questions about if the Governor supports or does not support any form of rent control.
With some relief in the form of removing the tax and rent dropping slightly by late last year, renters may start feeling some relief. But advocates are still concerned as homelessness in Arizona, and specifically in the metro Phoenix area, is still on the rise as housing remains unaffordable for many.
Homelessness in Arizona increased by 21% from 2020 to 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“You have the same number of people coming into The Zone because more people are becoming homeless,” Volk said, referring to the homeless encampment near downtown Phoenix that the city recently began clearing out.
When asked what will happen if the heat, evictions and affordable housing issues in the state continue down the path they’re on, Volk had a quick response: “People die. Simple answer.”
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