🏠New Housing Support for Mesa Families — April 2026☀️

April 2026 Newsletter

Equal Rent for All Tenants:
What Landlords Need to Know

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program through the City of Mesa partners with local landlords to provide safe, affordable housing opportunities for families in our community. We greatly value your participation.

We would like to remind property owners and managers of an important program requirement:

*** Landlords may not charge a higher rent to a tenant who has a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) than they would charge a non-assisted tenant for the same unit ***

Federal regulations require that the rent charged for an HCV-assisted unit must be:

• Reasonable in comparison to similar unassisted units within a 3-mile radius and
• Consistent with the rent charged for comparable unassisted units on the same property.

This means:

• Landlords cannot increase rent simply because a tenant has a voucher.
• Landlords cannot have separate pricing for assisted and non-assisted tenants.
• Landlords cannot add additional fees that are not charged to unassisted tenants.
• The total rent must reflect the same market rate offered to any other renter for that unit.

The HCV program conducts a rent reasonableness review to ensure compliance with these requirements. Charging a higher rent due to a tenant’s voucher status is a violation of program requirements. We appreciate our landlord partners and your continued commitment to fair and equitable housing practices. If you have questions about rent reasonableness or program requirements, please contact the City of Mesa Housing Authority before submitting a Request for Tenancy Approval.

Save the date Landlords there will be a Landlord Briefing on 04/16/26.

Important information for landlords of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program units.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a special program offered to families who are receiving housing assistance through Mesa Housing Authority.  The program focuses on finding employment that provides enough income to become financially self-sufficient. Over a 5-year span, FSS provides participants with individualized case management, support, referrals to resources and services and guidance in goal setting and achievement. The program is completely voluntary and works to help families become economically self-sufficient so they no longer need public assistance.  In 2025, MHA had eight families graduate from the program.  Graduations depend on when their FSS Contract of Participation ends, which is typically after their five-year contract ends or when their goals they set for themselves are completed.

Spotlight on a Recent FSS Graduate After a little over five years in the FSS program, Maureen worked diligently to care for her family’s needs.  Maureen is a dedicated educator and caregiver and is a model of resilience and compassion.  She continues to work towards purchasing a home in the future. In her own words,  “The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program has been instrumental in helping our family gain the knowledge and tools needed to better manage our debt, establish consistent savings, and understand what it takes to work toward homeownership. Through the program, we have learned the importance of budgeting, financial planning, and long-term goal setting, which has allowed us to make more informed financial decisions. As a result of this guidance and support, I have since enrolled as a full-time college student to improve our future earning potential and create greater financial stability for our family. The FSS program has given us both the confidence and direction to work toward a more secure and self-sufficient future.” ******** If you are interested, please submit your Family Self Sufficiency Program application that is provided on our website: Current Participants - Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher - City of Mesa

Effective January 1, 2026

Please know your housing specialist has 2 business days to return your call or email. City of Mesa Housing Authority lobby hours are Monday through Thursday 7:30 am till 5:00 pm. If you have any questions, please visit our website at https://www.mesaaz.gov.

TENANTS – A reminder regarding special inspection for unit repairs or requests:

Before you request a special inspection from our Housing Inspector, you need to FIRST CONTACT YOUR LANDLORD and request the repair. It’s suggested that you submit your request in writing, and deliver the request by hand, email, or mail, and keep a copy for yourself.

** You must work with your landlord to fix any issues with the unit, including allowing access to complete the necessary repairs.

Quick tips to Keep the Kitchen Clean

• Clear out and wipe down the sink (5 minutes). No piles of dirty dishes! Move them into the dishwasher, and wipe the sink with a sponge.
• Wipe down countertops and stove (1 minute). Clean splatters and spills with a damp cloth or sponge and an all-purpose cleanser.
• Wipe problem spots on the floor (2 minutes). You can save a full-floor mop for the weekend, but use the same cloth (once you’ve finished with the countertops) to quickly clean any spills or sticky spots, which will attract dirt and get more noticeable if left alone.

The 2026-27 Poster Contest is now accepting submissions.
Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2026

About Housing America Campaign
In 2007, NAHRO created the Housing America campaign to raise national awareness about the critical role that affordable housing programs play in building and sustaining healthy communities nationwide.

“What Home Means to Me” Poster Contest
NAHRO holds an annual national poster contest for youth who live in affordable housing owned or administered by NAHRO member agencies. Each piece of art shares the children’s thoughts on the theme of “What Home Means to Me.” Hundreds of beautiful posters from children across the nation are entered in local, state and regional competitions. A panel of judges selects 12 winners and one grand prize winner, who is awarded a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet his or her elected representatives. The winning posters are collected in the Housing America calendar, a year-long reminder of importance of safe, decent and affordable housing to children and families nationwide.

How To Spot Warning Signs for
Heat-Related Illnesses

Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion

• Faint or dizzy
• Excessive sweating
• Cool, pale, clammy skin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Muscle cramps

Warning Signs of Heat Stroke

• Throbbing headache, confusion
• No sweating
• Body temperature above 103 degrees
• Red, hot, dry skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid, strong pulse
• May lose consciousness