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Calling all residents! Join a Resident Working Group to craft goals, policies and implementation actions that lead to real results in the community. Don't wait, sign-up now to help shape OV's future.JOIN HERE!


An online kick-off event for all Resident Working Group is scheduled for January 28, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Resident working group members are encouraged to attend to meet other group members, learn about your important role and how to participate.

Meeting ID: 842 7345 7255 Passcode: 361749

Phone option: +17193594580,84273457255#

Click HERE for instructions on how to use Zoom. Questions? Contact OVPathForward@orovalleyaz.gov.


The OV's Path Forward Background Report, available HERE, provides key trends and conditions that should be considered when planning for OV's future.

  • Most of Oro Valley’s housing is single-family residential (73%). Only 13% of the housing stock is traditional apartment units, which have low vacancy rates. Low vacancy rates indicate a demand for rentals in Oro Valley. Targeting key areas for higher-density residential could help reduce Oro Valley’s housing gaps.
  • From a study completed in 2023, 16.3% of owner-occupied homes and 39.8% of renter-occupied homes are cost burdened, meaning more than 30% of their income is spent on housing related costs. A housing affordability gap is the difference between the rents or housing values in a community and the ability of households to afford those rents or values. Oro Valley’s housing affordability gap is 4,561 units, or 22% of total households.

  • Essential service works, such as firefighters, police officers, and nurses, are likely priced out of the Oro Valley housing market. Workforce housing is important for OV’s economy to run efficiently and to ensure the needs of residents are being met.

  • The Oro Valley Housing Study shows new retail, restaurants, and activity-oriented development will largely be dependent on higher-density, infill projects. Retail relies on people, income, and traffic to be successful. Locating higher-density residential near commercial areas is something the community may want to consider supporting more retail development.

During Phase 1 (October 2023 - October 2024), residents shared their ideas, priorities and expectations for OV's future at 93 events, and online discussions. Two surveys were conducted to understand residents' perceptions and preferences regarding housing. This includes:

  • 2023 Housing Phone Survey
  • 2024 BIG Community Survey

Both surveys were conducted via phone with an online and paper version available. Unless noted, the responses below are from the 2023 Housing Phone Survey. The phone survey method is statistically projectable to all OV adults. This means 50% represents 20,593 residents.

The percentages represent responses to various question types. Higher percentages relate to questions where residents rated specific options. Low percentages relate to open-ended questions that allowed a wide variety of responses.

A summary of resident responses is available HERE with key points shown below:

Statistically Projectable Survey ResponsesCommon Phrases from
Events and Online
Concerns60% are personally concerned with housing costsLower rent, affordable housing, housing for families and workers
Responses regarding housing types37% prefer the remaining land be used to provide more housing options (BIG Community Survey)Mix of density, more housing options, variety of all housing types, townhomes, condos, housing options for workers and families
63% think single-family homes are needed
40% think townhomes or duplexes are needed
Responses regarding housing affordability47% agree there is a lack of financially attainable housing for teachers, police, first responders, retail or service employees, or entry level professionals
42% agree there is a lack of financially attainable housing for seniors, veterans, or persons with disabilities
Responses regarding high-density residential60% agree high-density residential should be in areas with easy access to shops, services, and facilitiesMix of housing types, affordable housing options, housing above businesses
Less high density, less apartments, no rentals, limit new residential developments
40% agree high-density should be along arterials or major roadways
24% think apartments are needed
28% want fewer apartments


The draft guiding principles are based on the community guidance provided during Phase 1. Underlined words were derived directly from resident responses.

Strive for a diverse mix of housing options:

  • Increase affordable housing options for workers, older adults, and families
  • Balance the desire for single-family homes with the need for townhomes, condos, patio homes
  • Limit construction of new high-density apartment communities
  • Selectively target areas with access to shops, services, facilities, and major roadways for higher-density residential
Calling all residents! Join a Resident Working Group to craft goals, policies and implementation actions that lead to real results in the community. Don't wait, sign-up now to help shape OV's future.JOIN HERE!


An online kick-off event for all Resident Working Group is scheduled for January 28, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Resident working group members are encouraged to attend to meet other group members, learn about your important role and how to participate.

Meeting ID: 842 7345 7255 Passcode: 361749

Phone option: +17193594580,84273457255#

Click HERE for instructions on how to use Zoom. Questions? Contact OVPathForward@orovalleyaz.gov.


The OV's Path Forward Background Report, available HERE, provides key trends and conditions that should be considered when planning for OV's future.

  • Most of Oro Valley’s housing is single-family residential (73%). Only 13% of the housing stock is traditional apartment units, which have low vacancy rates. Low vacancy rates indicate a demand for rentals in Oro Valley. Targeting key areas for higher-density residential could help reduce Oro Valley’s housing gaps.
  • From a study completed in 2023, 16.3% of owner-occupied homes and 39.8% of renter-occupied homes are cost burdened, meaning more than 30% of their income is spent on housing related costs. A housing affordability gap is the difference between the rents or housing values in a community and the ability of households to afford those rents or values. Oro Valley’s housing affordability gap is 4,561 units, or 22% of total households.

  • Essential service works, such as firefighters, police officers, and nurses, are likely priced out of the Oro Valley housing market. Workforce housing is important for OV’s economy to run efficiently and to ensure the needs of residents are being met.

  • The Oro Valley Housing Study shows new retail, restaurants, and activity-oriented development will largely be dependent on higher-density, infill projects. Retail relies on people, income, and traffic to be successful. Locating higher-density residential near commercial areas is something the community may want to consider supporting more retail development.

During Phase 1 (October 2023 - October 2024), residents shared their ideas, priorities and expectations for OV's future at 93 events, and online discussions. Two surveys were conducted to understand residents' perceptions and preferences regarding housing. This includes:

  • 2023 Housing Phone Survey
  • 2024 BIG Community Survey

Both surveys were conducted via phone with an online and paper version available. Unless noted, the responses below are from the 2023 Housing Phone Survey. The phone survey method is statistically projectable to all OV adults. This means 50% represents 20,593 residents.

The percentages represent responses to various question types. Higher percentages relate to questions where residents rated specific options. Low percentages relate to open-ended questions that allowed a wide variety of responses.

A summary of resident responses is available HERE with key points shown below:

Statistically Projectable Survey ResponsesCommon Phrases from
Events and Online
Concerns60% are personally concerned with housing costsLower rent, affordable housing, housing for families and workers
Responses regarding housing types37% prefer the remaining land be used to provide more housing options (BIG Community Survey)Mix of density, more housing options, variety of all housing types, townhomes, condos, housing options for workers and families
63% think single-family homes are needed
40% think townhomes or duplexes are needed
Responses regarding housing affordability47% agree there is a lack of financially attainable housing for teachers, police, first responders, retail or service employees, or entry level professionals
42% agree there is a lack of financially attainable housing for seniors, veterans, or persons with disabilities
Responses regarding high-density residential60% agree high-density residential should be in areas with easy access to shops, services, and facilitiesMix of housing types, affordable housing options, housing above businesses
Less high density, less apartments, no rentals, limit new residential developments
40% agree high-density should be along arterials or major roadways
24% think apartments are needed
28% want fewer apartments


The draft guiding principles are based on the community guidance provided during Phase 1. Underlined words were derived directly from resident responses.

Strive for a diverse mix of housing options:

  • Increase affordable housing options for workers, older adults, and families
  • Balance the desire for single-family homes with the need for townhomes, condos, patio homes
  • Limit construction of new high-density apartment communities
  • Selectively target areas with access to shops, services, facilities, and major roadways for higher-density residential
Page last updated: 26 Jan 2025, 08:28 PM