Homelessness and housing as well as the first transportation project funded by Prop 479 Economy and Growth, General News, Maps and Data, Public Outreach, Regional Profile, Transportation The following are three things you should know about what’s happening in the MAG region: 1. Housing Vacancy Trends Housing vacancy rates offer insight into market trends, availability, and demand. In the MAG region, seasonal vacancies and short-term rentals contribute significantly to the overall vacancy rate. According to Maricopa County Assessor data, approximately 25 percent of all housing units are investor-owned or second homes. Although vacancy rates in the MAG region appear elevated, a large share reflects seasonal use, short-term rentals, and investor-owned or second homes, meaning the effective supply of housing for full-time residents is far more limited than vacancy figures suggest. Housing Vacancy Trends 2. Point in Time Homelessness Count Yesterday morning, January 27, more than 1,000 volunteers fanned out across the Valley, searching streets, alleys, doorways, parks, and riverbeds as part of the annual effort to count people experiencing homelessness. Homelessness Point-In-Time (PIT) count data determines how much federal funding the region can compete for, guides how resources are directed to providers, and provides a baseline for measuring year-over-year progress. Last year’s PIT count recorded 9,734 people experiencing homelessness across the region. That reflected an overall increase of 3 percent. Data from yesterday's count is expected to be available in late spring. View the 2025 PIT Count Data 3. Prop 479 Projects Begin In November 2024, Maricopa County voters passed Prop 479, a twenty-year extension of the dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation. This month marks the start of projects funded under Prop 479, and major improvements to the region's transportation system are on the way. The first project is the construction of a new system interchange between the Loop 303 and I-17. Additionally, El Mirage Road is being extended between Jomax Road and the Loop 303, State Route 24 is being completed, including 3 grade-separated interchanges from Loop 202 to Ironwood Drive, and improvements will be constructed to the I-10 at Jackrabbit Trail traffic interchange. In total, 183 projects are currently planned. Further details are available through our Prop 479 project viewer. View Prop 479 Projects The Photo of the Month Imagine This Place is a public art project in Bullard Wash Park, the City of Goodyear. Created by artist Mary Lucking, the installation invites park visitors to imagine the park as it might be at different points in the past and the future. Learn more at www.imaginethisplace.org. Sign up to receive this monthly newsletter directly to your inbox. Published January 28, 2026