In observance of National Homeownership Month, The State of Black Arizona (SBAZ) has officially released The State of Black Housing Report (2026) to address widening Arizona housing market trends and systemic disparities. Informed by contributions and thought partnership from Center for the Future of Arizona and the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University, the study documents severe housing disparities and structural wealth gaps impacting Black residents across the state.

DEEPER DIVE: Abandoned North Phoenix project gets new life as $190 million sports complex

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here

Black Homeownership in Crisis: Key Empirical Findings

Unlike traditional housing reports that rely primarily on statewide averages, this study pairs quantitative data with community voices and lived experiences to illuminate real-world challenges. The data reveals that Black homeownership in Arizona remains in a state of crisis:

  • The Homeownership Divide: While 67.4% of households statewide own their homes, only 39.5% of Black households do, a gap of nearly 28 percentage points.
  • Severe Wealth Disparities: The median net worth for Black families in Arizona is $11,300, which is 69% lower than the state average of $36,050.
  • Systemic Lending Barriers: Nearly one in four (24.2%) completed mortgage applications from Black Arizonans are denied by financial institutions.
  • Housing Cost Burden: Spending 30% or more of gross income on housing leaves 47.4% of Black residents housing-burdened, while 23.4% are severely cost-burdened.
  • Geographic Displacement: Market pressures are forcing families into a “drive until you qualify” reality, pushing Black households to the outskirts of urban centers for affordability and forcing residents to trade community connection for two-hour commutes.

“Systemic inequities in homeownership have created a persistent racial wealth gap,” said Teniqua Broughton, Chief Executive Officer of The State of Black Arizona (SBAZ). “We are proud to work alongside dedicated advocates who are driving fundamental change by expanding access to mortgage financing for all communities. The State of Black Arizona is profoundly grateful for the unwavering investment in vital resources like this report during challenging times, allowing us to deliver actionable data when it matters most.”

The Blueprint for Change: Tactical Recommendations

The State of Black Housing Report moves past mere documentation to show how to fix the racial wealth gap, handing policymakers, financial institutions, and community leaders an evidence-based framework for systemic change.

“Objective data and rigorous policy analysis empower communities to move from awareness to action and accountability,” said Andrea Whitsett, Executive Director of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at ASU. “By connecting academic research with community-generated solutions, The State of Black Arizona is providing a valuable blueprint for increased prosperity”.

The report’s roadmap focuses directly on three critical action pillars:

  • Expand Culturally Responsive Wealth-Building Resources: Scaling tailored financial literacy alongside critical heirs’ property and estate planning education to ensure families have the tools to legally retain and transfer housing assets across generations.
  • Increase Access to Capital and Credit Transparency: Expanding the reach of down payment assistance programs while proactively addressing lending disparities in loan approval rates, interest terms, and underwriting practices that disproportionately block Black borrowers.
  • Advance Economic Mobility to Lower Debt Barriers: Connecting residents to high-wage industries through targeted workforce training, while deploying specific strategies to reduce the student loan debt burden that heavily skews debt-to-income ratios and delays mortgage readiness.

“The State of Black Arizona brings forward important data and community perspectives on an issue that affects families and communities across our state,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona. “Having a safe, stable, and affordable place to live is fundamental to the well-being of Arizona families and critical to achieving The Arizona We Want. Understanding where disparities exist and the factors contributing to them is an important first step toward identifying solutions that expand opportunity and strengthen communities.”

Immediate Next Steps: Fall 2026 Community Launch

To immediately translate this blueprint into community-led solutions, The State of Black Arizona is partnering with the Arizona Realtist Group to launch financial literacy and homeownership workshops in Fall 2026. This collaboration will deploy the report’s recommendations directly to families via HUD-certified homebuyer education and credit guidance, while simultaneously working with financial institutions to expand inclusive lending products across the state.

The full report, including comprehensive data visualizations, policy recommendations, and community testimonials, was made possible through the support of many sponsors and supporters in the community and is available for download. To download the report and action plan, visit stateofblackarizona.org/state_black_housing.

About The State of Black Arizona

The State of Black Arizona (SBAZ) is a nonprofit organization and the leader in the production, synthesis, and socialization of actionable data and insights with a primary focus on the Black community. Committed to advancing equity, opportunity, and representation, SBAZ partners with public and private sector leaders to address systemic disparities, drive meaningful investments, and ensure Black Arizonans have the resources needed to thrive.