Tucson Standard

The City of Tucson and Pima County have been awarded a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address barriers in affordable housing production and preservation. This funding is part of HUD's Pathways to Reducing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program, which supports communities working towards removing obstacles to affordable housing.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero expressed gratitude for the grant, stating, “The City of Tucson is an example of how cities are innovating to create housing affordability.” She acknowledged the support from HUD, the Biden-Harris administration, and local Congressional representatives in securing resources to tackle rising housing costs.

Board of Supervisors Chair Rex Scott emphasized the importance of improving access for low-income families, saying it is "morally imperative" to provide opportunities similar to those available in higher-income neighborhoods. He highlighted this initiative as a collaboration between city, county, and federal governments aimed at reducing generational poverty through evidence-based approaches.

Since 2019, Tucson and Pima County have faced significant increases in home sales prices by 68% and rental prices by 48%, while household incomes only rose by 22%. In response, local authorities have implemented policy changes such as zoning reforms and expedited permitting processes. The Housing Affordability Strategy for Tucson was introduced in 2021 as a guiding document for these efforts.

The PRO Housing grant will be managed by the City of Tucson Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), with involvement from other local agencies like Planning and Community Development Services. The Arizona Research Center for Housing Equity and Sustainability (ARCHES) will conduct evaluations on programs funded by this grant.

Ann Chanecka, Director for HCD in Tucson, stated that HUD’s program addresses long-standing barriers faced by cities regarding affordable housing. Koren Manning from Planning and Development Services expressed enthusiasm about participating in this collaborative effort to expand diverse housing options.

Carla Blackwell from Pima County Development Services noted their commitment to creating regional housing opportunities through zoning code revisions along key corridors. She emphasized informing developers about new opportunities as essential after regulatory changes are made.

This funding covers a six-year period until September 2030. It aims at systemic changes needed post-COVID-19 pandemic impacts on local economies while ensuring sustainable economic growth benefiting all residents across Tucson-Pima region over time.