By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD — During its regular meeting on Monday, the Safford City Council unanimously proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Safford. The proclamation encourages all citizens to work toward equal housing opportunities within the community.
Safford Planning & Community Development Director Jaime Embick presented the request to the council and highlighted the initiative’s importance.
“This is a request for the Mayor and City Council to Proclaim the month of April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Safford and encourage all citizens to work for equal housing opportunity in our own community.”
The proclamation aligns with the city’s strategic goals of Quality of Life, Growth and Development, and Public Information and Outreach. It references the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendment Act of 1988, which ensure full and fair access to housing opportunities. As a recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, the City of Safford is required to participate in Fair Housing Month activities.
Embick noted that access to housing for all residents is essential to maintaining a sustainable and inclusive community.
Promotion and community outreach
The Planning and Community Development Department will partner with the Graham County Chamber of Commerce to promote fair housing during the 2026 Spring Fest and through local media outlets. Through pre-recorded announcements and informational handouts at Spring Fest, the city anticipates reaching approximately 5,000 individuals.
Materials for first-time homebuyers, including information on mortgage application processes and requirements, will be available in both English and Spanish. Recognizing that public open houses have historically seen low attendance, this informal approach at Spring Fest aims to provide the same information in a more accessible setting.
Embick emphasized the need for a multipronged outreach strategy.
“While public meetings remain valuable, they do not reach most residents,” she said. “To address this gap, outreach now incorporates social media, the City’s website, email notifications, printed materials, and QR codes to ensure broader community access.”
Council member Brad Hemphill moved to approve the proclamation, with Council member Alma Flores seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Vice Mayor Arnold Lopez then read the proclamation aloud. Mayor Richard Ortega and Council Member Luke Arbizo were not in attendance.
Local housing market context: New builds and home prices
The fair housing proclamation comes amid ongoing growth and development in Safford and Graham County, where housing affordability and access remain key concerns for residents.
As of early 2026, the Safford housing market shows a mix of stability and modest appreciation in some metrics, though data varies by source and timeframe. Zillow reports the typical home value in Safford at approximately $277,000 to $287,000, reflecting a year-over-year increase of around 3-3.4%. Other sources indicate that median listing prices have been around $344,000 to $350,000 in recent months, with homes selling in a somewhat competitive but cooling market.
New construction remains limited but active. Realtor.com data shows about 13 new-construction homes listed in Safford, with a median listing price of roughly $319,500. Overall, new listings in the area are sparse, with sources like Movoto noting only 1-2 new homes actively listed in recent snapshots. This constrained supply of new builds contributes to market dynamics in which existing homes dominate the inventory (around 48-84 active listings, depending on the platform).
Median sale prices have fluctuated: Redfin reported a February 2026 median sale price of $235,000 (down year-over-year in that specific month), while broader Graham County figures and other Realtor.com data point to sales in the $344,000 range. Homes are taking longer to sell on average (around 59-75 days), signaling a shift toward a more balanced or buyer-friendly market compared to previous years.
Statewide trends suggest Arizona home prices may see modest growth of 2-5% in 2026, though some forecasts for smaller markets like Safford project slight softening or stabilization. New home construction across Arizona is increasing modestly, particularly in secondary markets, to address supply needs. In Graham County, single-family homes make up the vast majority of the housing stock, with ongoing efforts to expand inventory through studies and planning.
The city’s focus on fair housing outreach, including bilingual materials for first-time buyers, directly supports efforts to make homeownership more accessible amid these market conditions. By promoting equal opportunity and providing practical resources, Safford aims to foster inclusive growth as the community continues to develop.
