Of Local Interest

Yesterday's Arizona Republic ran a series of features about the "housing dilemma" enveloping the metro-Phoenix area. The series ran the gamut from a front-page piece examining home prices that outpace area wages to editorial pieces looking at the issue from varying viewpoints.

This one I can't get my brain around though (written by the head of the local Firefighters Union):

Unfortunately, although they do an outstanding job in their profession, many are not able to live in the same communities they protect. A variety of factors, including the rapid rise in the price of homes, has led to a significant decline in the availability and affordability of workforce housing across the Valley.

This ultimately means that too many of our domestic defenders are having to commute great distances because they simply can't afford to rent or buy a home where they work.

While I understand the concern about the former, the latter statement is nonsensical. I fail to see the problem when a Phoenix firefighter who works at Cactus Rd & 24th Drive commutes from El Mirage or Litchfield Park because a home in central Phoenix has become too costly.

Phoenicians, as best I can tell from 3+ years of observing, have a deep desire to avoid becoming in any way like Los Angeles. To a great degree--as one who has now lived in both cities--they have achieved that goal. I can appreciate that, but I fear that Phoenicians are desperately trying to ignore the encroaching reality of their situation: housing costs are rising, and will continue to rise and without a concerted effort aimed at preserving some affordable housing elements in the region or a likewise concerted effort at finding legitimate means for increasing wages in the area, more and more people will be priced out of various areas in town. Whether government officials or public figures like it or not, the public will adjust to the new realities.

Having come from Southern California where commute times of 1-2 hours each way can be commonplace, I can understand the reluctance to submit to the reality of the situation but I can't join in the outrage. Reality is reality, people who want to buy a home can, will and should go where they can afford to purchase. If the commute is too long for you, change jobs. Having to commute from one city to another does not qualify as a moral outrage.