Yuma City Council voting on new housing opportunities

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma City Council is trying to combat the housing crisis in Wednesday’s meeting.

They voted and approved new ways to create more housing opportunities.

The new rules will help reduce standards in residential subdivisions.

Some of these changes will include shortening the number of feet from the property line to the edge of the building that you can build.

“We definitely want to be more accessible for housing at all levels. We want to make it so that we’re not leading the state in costs, which we’re not currently now, but that's because of these kind of things that we’ve been doing,” said Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.

One local was able to explain why this is a good thing.

“Obviously a small town like this like Yuma, allowing growth brings in more people to the town bring in more people to the city, and brings in more money,” said Yuma local, Kayla Beaver.

The Mayor was able to go into detail explaining why these changes came about.

“This is a result of staff really listening  those that are doing the development and kind of analyzing opportunities that we could use to make it easier so we have more housing options out there but also be more practical,” said Mayor Nicholls.

The new standards are set to go into effect in the next 30 days.