City Preparing to Open Waitlist for Public Housing and Vouchers

City of Tucson’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) department will soon open the waitlist for City-owned public housing and City of Tucson and Pima County public housing vouchers, known as Section 8. In December, HCD will launch a regionwide outreach campaign informing residents about the waitlist and invite them to apply.

In early January, HCD will open the application period for those wishing to apply on computers and smartphones. Online applications will be available in various languages and alternate forms. For individuals wanting to make their applications on paper, that option will be available. HCD is collaborating with various community partners to make computers available to those who do not have access to computers or smartphones. A list of sites, dates, and times will be available and posted on the website linked below.

Visit the Housing Waitlist Website

Homeless Encampment Protocol & Reporting Tool

The City of Tucson’s homeless encampment protocol and reporting tool are now online and are part of the additional steps the City is taking in responding to community concerns and to the health and safety of unsheltered individuals.

What else is happening to assist our homeless community?

$3M to Housing First and Creating Low Barrier Shelter

The City of Tucson’s Mayor and Council have approved allocating $1.5M to fully fund Housing First through 2026 and another $1.5M to explore standing up a low barrier congregate shelter.

$2M to Expand the Homeless Work Program

The City of Tucson has received a $2M award from the Arizona Department of Housing to expand our Homeless Work Program, additional shelter capacity, navigators, and funds for vans and mobile showers. See below for the request for proposals for the Homeless Work Program.

$400K to Assist in Clean Up

Multiple City of Tucson departments are coordinating clean up and will determine ownership or oversite responsibility of the property in question. Occupied camps will be cleaned without displacement, unless there is a serious health or safety concern.

Visit the Protocol and Reporting Tool Webpage

Request For Proposals: Homeless Work Program

The City of Tucson recently received funding from the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) to temporarily expand the Tucson Homeless Work Program through June 30, 2023. The program aims to provide day labor/temporary employment opportunities for people experiencing homelessness.

The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development department, Tucson Environmental and General Services Department, and nonprofit organizations administer the program collaboratively. This request for proposals (RFP) invites applications from nonprofit organizations with program capacity to support work crews comprised of 7-10 people experiencing homelessness.

Applications are due by Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Learn More and Apply

Source of Income Ordinance Approved

On Tuesday, September 27, the City of Tucson's Mayor and Council unanimously passed the Source of Income Protection ordinance.

Source of income protection makes it unlawful for landlords or property managers to reject a rental application solely based on the applicant’s source of income, including rental assistance such as Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8), Rapid Rehousing, and other federal, state, or local assistance programs.

Visit the Source of Income Webpage

Results Available from the Tucson Homeless Vaccine Incentive Program

The Tucson Homeless Vaccine Incentive Program was a 90-day campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccination among people experiencing homelessness from July to September 2022. The program goal was to provide initial and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 300 Tucsonans experiencing homelessness.

Read More about the Incentive Program

Watch this Month's Commission on Equitable Housing and Development Meeting

Commission on Equitable Housing and Development YouTube Thumbnail
To watch the meeting recording, click the image above or visit tucsonaz.gov/hcd/cehd.

All Commission on Equitable Housing and Development meetings are open to the public. Those with an interest in housing equity in Tucson are encouraged to attend! In addition to the main committee meeting, there are also three subcommittees that meet monthly.

Upcoming Subcommittee Meetings

Affordable Housing Subcommittee
Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the Month via Zoom

Housing Segregation Subcommittee
Meets the 4th Thursday of the Month via Zoom.

Housing First Subcommittee
Meets the last Wednesday of the Month via Zoom.

To register to attend an upcoming public meeting, visit the commission's webpage below.

Need Meeting Support?

If you want to attend the meeting and require Spanish language translation or sign language interpretation, please contact Ernesto Portillo at (520) 403-5709 or [email protected]. Please allow ample time to make these arrangements.

Visit the Commission's Webpage

Updates from Our Community Partners

Mapping Racist Covenants Image
Mapping Racial Covenants Project Launch Event

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 | 5 - 7 PM, Reception begins at 4:45 PM

Kachina Gallery, Level 3
Student Union Memorial Center, University of Arizona (1303 E. University Blvd.)

This event introduces project partners and volunteers working on the Mapping Racist Covenants (MRC) Project. Various speakers and a community panel will discuss the history and geography of racist housing covenants across Tucson.

Register by Sunday, Nov. 13 to attend.

Register for the MRC Project Launch