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In The Show series "Out of Reach," hear from renters, buyers and the people tracking and analyzing market statistics and polling.

The Phoenix area has a shortage of housing — specifically, affordable housing.

The Show has been looking at this situation as part of an occasional series called, "Out of Reach."

Could shopping centers could be part of the housing solution in Arizona?

Andrew Watkins is an architect and urban designer. He’s also a principal with the firm SWA in southern California.

Earlier this year, he led a panel for the Urban Land Institute on the subject of using retail spaces for housing. The Show talked with Watkins about what specifically folks talking about this issue are concerned about.

More stories from the Out of Reach series

• Out of Reach: Cities are driving up rents by moving too slowly, a former Phoenix mayor says
• Out of Reach: Prospective homebuyers are waiting for signs of hope in Arizona's housing market