Raoul Zubia Criticizes Councilman Barry Graham for Voting Against 28-Unit Affordable Housing Plan at Paiute Neighborhood Center

# What happened

# The dispute

Raoul Zubia, a candidate for Scottsdale City Council and former Partners for Paiute board member, publicly criticized Graham for describing the housing proposal as "a homeless shelter." Zubia says that label misrepresents what the city's documents specify. According to the account reported, the Residence at Paiute would have delivered 22 affordable housing units and six bridge-housing units intended for Scottsdale residents, including seniors and families experiencing housing instability.

Zubia says he is offended by the characterization and that it obscures the proposal's purpose: to expand the campus with affordable and transitional housing for residents at risk of losing homes. He contends that his opponent has a pattern of mischaracterizing projects or portraying himself as supporting initiatives he helped to block.

# Votes and positions

• Barry Graham: Voted for one renovation measure at the Paiute Neighborhood Center but voted against the two agenda items that would have funded the Residence at Paiute housing component.

• Kathy Littlefield: Also voted against the two housing measures.

• Council majority: Voted 5–2 in favor of the housing items, advancing the Residence at Paiute proposal.

Raoul Zubia's statements focus on the distinction between a housing program for residents in need and a generic homeless shelter. He asks for accuracy when public officials describe housing proposals.

# Why this matters locally

The case spotlights how language used by elected officials can shape public understanding of housing initiatives. The disagreement centers on whether a proposed project was transitional/affordable housing targeted at Scottsdale residents (including seniors) or a homeless shelter. That distinction affects political support, public perception, and debate over how the city addresses housing instability.

For voters, the episode is presented as a record of council votes and public characterization of a housing project. Zubia brings direct involvement as a former board member of Partners for Paiute, which advocated for the 28 units, and uses that role to challenge Graham's framing.

# What to watch next

Look for candidate statements, campaign materials, and any public records or council minutes that detail Items 24 and 25 and the city documents describing The Residence at Paiute. In the campaign context, this dispute may be used to contrast records on housing policy and local advocacy roles.