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June 2025 - Lee en español
Deeper in our District
Hello District 3!
If you take a close look at the map above (click the image to enlarge!), you’ll see just how massive District 3 really is. Stretching from parts of Green Valley and Sahuarita all the way to the Lukeville Port of Entry, and from Ajo up to Marana, this expansive area of Pima County is home to a diverse and vibrant community.
Our office is honored to serve the residents of midtown Tucson, rural and Indigenous communities, neighbors along the U.S.–Mexico border, and those near our national park. To ensure we’re responsive and accessible, our team has divided District 3 by regions and key policy areas—so we’re ready to be there when our constituents need us most. Starting in July, we'll visit our communities for in-person office hours. Scroll to the end of the newsletter to see the calendar for the entire district.
Greetings from Supervisor Allen
I’ve heard this across District 3 over and over again: we’re in a housing crisis. We’re feeling it in urban Tucson, where rents are rising and home ownership is increasingly out of reach. We’re feeling it in our rural areas, where aging mobile homes are deteriorating and investments are scarce.
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We’re feeling it in Indigenous communities and historically underserved neighborhoods that have waited far too long for housing equity.
The need for affordable housing is not just about “those people.” It’s about us. For many of us, it feels like we’re one missed paycheck, one medical emergency, or one rent increase away from losing the four walls and a roof that keep us safe, healthy, and stable.
The numbers back this up. Since 2020, median rents in Pima County have skyrocketed by 30-35%, while wages have failed to keep pace. Also in 2020, around 75% of Tucson homes were affordable to a family earning the median income. By 2023, that number dropped to just 38%.
What happens when people can’t afford to stay housed? They fall into homelessness. And that’s exactly what’s happening. According to the 2024 Gaps Analysis by the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness, and research from the University of Arizona's Southwest Institute for Research on Women, the structural drivers of housing insecurity remain dangerously high. Over 55% of renter households in Pima County spend more than 30% of their income on rent, and nearly one in three renters are spending over 50% of their income on housing.
We are already paying the price for this housing crisis through our justice system, emergency rooms, flood control, public safety, and social services. But these are band-aids. They do not solve the root problem. Preliminary findings from a Pima County housing study by ECOnorthwest reveal that we need 116,000 additional housing units over the next 20 years—38,584 of which must be affordable to families earning 60% or less of the area median income. That means we can’t wait. The time to act is now.
That’s why I’m proud that the Pima County Board of Supervisors recently took bold action. On June 3, 2025, the Board approved $8.5 million in affordable housing funding for the upcoming fiscal year. We also adopted a 10-year housing policy—Board of Supervisors Policy D 22.17—that allocates an additional $200 million toward affordable housing development and homelessness prevention over the next decade starting in FY 2026-27.
The policy, known as the “Three Cents for Affordable Housing” initiative, will help us build and preserve affordable units, expand homelessness prevention programs, and provide meaningful support for families struggling to stay housed.
Over the coming months, we’ll be seeking public input as we shape how these funds will be used. The Regional Affordable Housing Commission will develop recommendations, which will be informed by the ECOnorthwest study that has given us a preliminary needs assessment, with more detailed data to come this fall when the final study is released.
These efforts are part of a broader regional housing strategy, and they align with the Prosperity Initiative—a countywide commitment to reducing generational poverty. The road ahead is long, and this won’t solve the crisis overnight. But it’s a meaningful step forward.
Community Spotlight
District 3 enjoyed two special events with the Tohono O’odham Nation recently. On Saturday, April 26, we participated in the Baboquivari District Day celebrated at the Coldfield’s community. It was windy but wonderful!
Then on May 10 we were at the Tohono O’odham Elder Day at the Desert Diamond Casino II where hundreds of elders were celebrated. Both special events were filled with music, speakers, vendors with resources (like us), and lots of conversations.
Finally, we want to congratulate the 11 graduates (7 women and 4 men) who are now Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). They completed their program at Tohono O’odham Community College and are now able to serve the Nation in this critical capacity. Cachora Standifer is one of the graduates who said: “It was a great day in full view of our sacred mountains. So many great things will come from this for our Nation.”
Upcoming Events
Read all Summer Long!
Enjoy the summer at the Pima County Public Library. Mark your calendar to pick up a Lotería board and a free book starting June 2nd through August 2nd while supplies last. Learn more and read with us! https://www.library.pima.gov/
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The Tucson Juneteenth Festival is celebrating all month long with a series of exciting events! The main event happens on June 14 and will feature a car show, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, local vendors, and delicious food trucks.
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*Let us know about upcoming community events! Please e-mail us at district3@pima.gov.
Community Resources
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Free mental health workshops: Youth Mental Health First Aid, Chronic Pain Self-Management, and Overdose Response are some of the free trainings offered by the Pima County Health Department. Check out the calendar and register!
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Free books for kids! Did you know that your child could receive a free book every month through the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona’s partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program? This is for newborns through age five living in one of 14 zip codes throughout southern Arizona. Learn more and find out if you are eligible.
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Free program for community leaders: Impact Marana is a program of the Marana Chamber of Commerce that offers business and community leaders an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the many dynamic sectors of the Marana community. Applications are open until Monday, June 30th. To apply, visit https://www.maranachamber.com/impactmarana/.
- Beginning on Saturday, June 14, 2025, sandbag stations will be set up for County residents in preparation of the 2025 Monsoon. County residents are invited to fill up no more than 20 sandbags per vehicle. For safety and convenience, it is recommended that residents bring a shovel and gloves to assemble the sandbags. Clic here for more information.
We Want to Hear From You
Here are some opportunities to provide your input on County projects:
- Pima County is working to make our roads safer and more accessible for everyone. Take the survey to tell us what’s working, what’s not, and what you think could make transportation safer throughout Pima County to help us develop the Safety Action Plan.
- The 2025 Pima Prospers Comprehensive Plan is here for public review.This 10-year update guides land use, economic growth, climate resilience, and the protection of our natural, cultural, and built environments. Explore the chapters & share your thoughts!
- Participate in this special photo and sticker design contest! As we mark the 25th anniversary of Ironwood Forest National Monument, there's a creative new way to show your love for our local monument. Submit your best original photo taken there!
- Sandbag Stations Available in Pima County: Beginning on Saturday, June 14, 2025, sandbag stations will be set up for County residents in preparation for the 2025 Monsoon. Check out the locations and feel free to fill up no more than 20 sandbags per vehicle. Stay safe!
Come on Over!
We’re thrilled to announce a calendar of office hours throughout our district. We'll be in each community at regularly scheduled office hours every other month. Save the date and join us!
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Around District 3
Here’s a quick overview of what we've been up to across District 3.
Sol Dog Lodge
In the middle of May, we had a tour to the nonprofit Sol Dog Lodge and Training Center. Their training programs focus on addressing behavioral issues that can cause a family to give up on a dog. Thank you Valerie Pullara, Executive Director, and Shelley Harris for inviting us and for the work you do! Visit: https://soldoglodge.com/
Clothing Donations
Hundreds of bins of clothing that was purchased but unused by the federal government's asylum program have been distributed, thanks to Pima County's Community and Workforce Development department, and the Sahuarita Food Bank. The first drop off was to Robles Elementary School's Family Resource Center!
Rally for the Santa Ritas
On Saturday, May 3, we raised our voices in defense of the Santa Rita Mountains. Alongside residents, environmental advocates, and regional leaders, we participated in a powerful demonstration opposing the proposed Copper World mining project.
Ironwood Forest National Monument
We reaffirm our commitment to protecting Ironwood Forest National Monument. On May 20, the Board of Supervisors opposed the Trump Administration’s proposal to reduce the monument and open it up for mining. On June 3, the Board passed a proclamation declaring Monday, June 9, as Ironwood Forest Day. Then, on June 7, over 150 people gathered to celebrate the monument’s 25th anniversary and to advocate for its continued protection.
Flowing Wells and the Former Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Facility
On May 15, our staff joined the Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association and Community Coalition (FWNACC) meeting. It was important for us to learn more about the proposed development projects at the old Roger Road wastewater facility, as well as to hear neighbors’ feedback on how to reuse this 42-acre Pima County-owned space. Ideas on the table include new housing, a playground and community gathering spot, shops, and office space. We also visited the old facility, guided by Jackson Jenkins, Director of the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department.
PACC en Español
On May 31st, we connected with more than 300 dog lovers who attended the PACC en Español event at the Ellie Towne Community Center. Launched in 2024, this event has been incredibly successful in connecting Latino pet owners with PACC’s resources, including microchips, food and supplies, dog ID tags, and more. The focus zip codes for these events are 85705, 85706, and 85713. Clic here to learn more.
Subscribe to our Channel
Be up to date with the Board of Supervisors meeting recap. Every two weeks, Jen summarizes the most important discussion and decisions of each agenda. Follow us and subscribe here: Youtube.com/@SupervisorJenniferAllen
Meet Drake!
If you're looking for a pup with personality, look no further than Drake! This goofy, friendly, wiggly pup is a favorite of PACC staff and volunteers, who say that he's the kind of dog that keeps you smiling with his antics and happy personality.
Drake is free to adopt. He is neutered, up-to-date on vaccines, and microchipped. His ID number is: A868150. Contact: Pima Animal Care Center: 520-724-5900
Serve on a Pima County Board, Commission, or Committee!
Use this QR code and fill out a brief questionnaire, and someone from our office will contact you with next steps!
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 Reach Out!
We can connect you with Pima County Departments and Services, such as home repair/weatherization, rent and utility assistance, eviction prevention, transportation, land use issues, animal rescue, employment assistance, and much more.
Email: district3@pima.gov
Call us: 520-724-8051 or 520-724-8251
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