TUCSON, AZ – Tucson’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) has released its 2023 annual report, highlighting the continued progress it has made with addressing homelessness, creating and preserving affordable housing, and reinvesting in the community through the $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant for the Thrive in the 05 area.
The City of Tucson’s Housing First program provided housing navigation services to 1,657 people in 2023. Through the use of America’s Rescue Plan funds awarded by the State of Arizona, the City purchased a mobile shower trailer to continue to serve the needs of the homeless in Tucson.
According to the report, mobile shower services are provided four days a week at different locations in Tucson. The program provides showers for homeless individuals at locations frequented by homeless individuals and families. The mobile shower unit served 643 people in 2023.
There are currently 1,200 affordable housing units in production by the City of Tucson. 2023 saw the groundbreaking of 63 units of affordable housing for Tucsonans 55+ at Milagro on Oracle, the first Low Income Housing Tax Credit for the City of Tucson in 10 years, 28 units of City-owned affordable housing rehabilitated in Midtown Tucson, and 31 units are in the permitting process for the Amazon Shelter.
In July 2023, the City of Tucson was one of eight communities selected to receive the $50 million Choice Neighborhoods grant, the grant will continue the work that began in 2018 and focus on the rehabilitation of Tucson House and Thrive in the 05 area residents and neighborhoods.
“Under the leadership of Liz Morales and the mayor and council, HCD stretched its limits in recent years to implement new plans like the Housing Affordability Strategy for Tucson (HAST) and build new programs like a housing development arm and Housing First to address the growing housing crisis,” explained Ann Chanecka, HCD director.
Chanecka detailed that in 2024, HCD will focus on sustainability and ensuring that vital services continue.
