Corey Woods (mayor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corey Woods
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Woods in 2024
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| Mayor of Tempe | |
| Assumed office July 2, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Mark Mitchell |
| Member of The Tempe City Council | |
| In office July 17, 2008 – July 7, 2016 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | December 7, 1978 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | B.A. University of Michigan M.A. Arizona State University |
Corey Donald Woods (born December 7, 1978) is an American politician. He has been the mayor of Tempe, Arizona, since 2020. Woods is a member of the Democratic Party.
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About Corey Woods
Corey Woods studied at two major universities. In 2000, he earned a degree in political science from the University of Michigan. Later, in 2018, he received a master's degree in educational policy from Arizona State University.
Early Political Career
Woods started his work in government on the Tempe City Council. He served on the council from 2008 to 2016. During this time, he also held the position of Tempe's Vice Mayor.
In 2020, Woods ran for mayor of Tempe. He won the election, becoming the city's first African-American mayor. He was also the second African-American mayor in the state of Arizona.
Key Projects as Mayor
As mayor, Corey Woods has focused on several important areas for the city of Tempe.
Helping with Housing
One of Mayor Woods' main goals has been to create more affordable housing options. He started a program called "Hometown for All." This program created a special fund to buy properties. These properties are then turned into homes that people can afford to live in for a long time.
Health and Safety Initiatives
During his time as mayor, Tempe worked with Arizona State University on a special project. They developed a way to check wastewater surveillance for signs of COVID-19. This helped them understand how many cases were in the community. Tempe was the first city in the country to do this. The city later received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make this program even bigger.
In July 2022, Tempe started a new program to help with emergency calls. Now, when someone calls 911 for a non-violent situation, the dispatcher can work with a counselor. These counselors have experience in psychology and social work. This helps them respond better to calls where police might not be the best help.
Transportation and Development
The Tempe Streetcar transit line was finished in 2022 while Woods was mayor. This new public transportation option helps people travel around Tempe.
Mayor Woods also supported a large development project called South Pier at Tempe Town Lake. This project includes many new apartments. It is currently on hold.
State and National Roles
In 2022, the Arizona State Legislature asked Mayor Woods to join a special committee. This committee, made up of members from different political parties, worked to find solutions for Arizona's housing shortage.
In July 2022, the United States Conference of Mayors chose Woods for an important role. He was named Vice Chair of the Community Development and Housing Standing Committee. This group works to influence national rules that can help create more affordable housing for everyone.
