Tucson Standard

The City of Tucson Housing & Community Development department (HCD) has published its 2024 annual report, outlining efforts in housing construction, assistance, homelessness solutions, and community investment. Since 2017, Tucson has faced significant increases in home sales prices and rents, heightening the demand for affordable housing.

The report details HCD's collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to maintain existing affordable housing and foster new developments. Notable projects include the redevelopment of Tucson House and installation of solar panels on city-owned properties. The El Pueblo Housing Development (EPHD), a nonprofit arm of the city, plays a key role in these initiatives alongside private sector support.

In 2024, the Milagro on Oracle senior housing complex was nearly completed as Tucson's first Low-Income Housing Tax Credit project in ten years. Pre-development began for other EPHD projects such as Sugar Hill on Stone and Amazon Flats. Overall, EPHD has plans for 1,100 units plus those at Milagro on Oracle.

HCD's services extend to forgivable down payment loans for low-moderate income buyers, home repair aid, lead hazard reduction programs, and managing 5,500 HUD Housing Choice Vouchers across Pima County. In 2024 alone, 105 families participated in HCD’s Family Self-Sufficiency program aimed at breaking poverty cycles.

December saw Tucson awarded an $11.5 million PRICE grant from HUD to enhance energy efficiency and safety in manufactured homes while also supporting eviction prevention measures.

Efforts to combat homelessness included street outreach via the Housing First Program which distributed over 7,200 care packages through its Multidisciplinary Outreach Team (MDOT). Facilities like Wildcat Inn housed numerous adults and children throughout the year.

HCD updated its People, Communities, and Homes Investment Plan (P-CHIP) as a strategic guide for future development efforts. The report highlights grants made during the last funding cycle amounting to $5.4 million distributed among 28 nonprofits.

Community reinvestment continued within Thrive Zones such as Thrive in '05 and the 29th Street Thrive Zone with various cultural installations funded by a $50 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Grant. Additionally, resident-driven activities were supported by funds allocated by local government officials.

The HCD department employs around 180 people under Director Ann Chanecka who emphasized ongoing challenges due to uncertain funding sources despite recent achievements: "What is clear is that we can’t slow down our efforts," she stated while calling for collaborative solutions involving all sectors to sustain progress toward common goals.