Tucson Standard

TUCSON, AZ – As the affordable housing crisis in Arizona worsens, U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, met with key industry stakeholders in Arizona's 6th District this week.

On Monday, Ciscomani visited B’nai B’rith’s Strauss Manor for a tour of the residence and to learn about their work providing housing to low-income seniors. The Congressman then partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBanks) of San Francisco to host a roundtable on Tuesday with local industry stakeholders. The discussion focused on multi-agency support and the role public-private partnerships could play in solving the affordable housing shortage.

“From young families to our senior citizens, there is a critical need for affordable housing in southern Arizona,” said Ciscomani. “As the affordability crisis continues to worsen, I am committed to meeting and working with industry leaders and stakeholders, financial institutions, and local organizations to find common sense solutions to provide Arizonans the resources they need to find a home. Thank you to the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and B’nai B’rith for your efforts to expand and improve access to affordable housing.”

“B’nai B’rith was eager to host Congressman Ciscomani at one of our sponsored HUD senior housing buildings this week,” said B’nai B’rith Legislative Director of Aging Policy Evan Carmen. “Congressional visits are a great way for members of Congress to see for themselves the vital role affordable housing plays in the lives of older Americans. Visits provide a forum for residents to speak with their elected representatives about federal programs such as Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, advocating for their continued success.”

“There is an unprecedented and critical need to address housing affordability throughout Arizona, and across our country as a whole,” said Alanna McCargo, president and chief executive officer of FHLBank San Francisco. “The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is committed to our mission to address this persistent challenge, and we continue to work diligently through our Affordable Housing Program and community investment initiatives to provide families and individuals the resources they need to access a secure and affordable place to call home. We applaud Congressman Ciscomani for giving the affordable housing crisis the time and attention it deserves, and for bringing so many thought leaders together to foster collaboration and work towards actionable solutions.”

Congressman Ciscomani serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, which is responsible for appropriating funds to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Committee will consider the FY2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations package later this month. Following Ciscomani’s request, the President’s budget for FY25 included a line item for a public-private partnership pilot program called Speeding up Production of Essential Residences (SUPER) Demonstration Program aimed at creating more affordable housing supply.