HCD March Newsletter

City of Tucson sent this bulletin at 03/01/2021 09:59 AM MST

March 2021

Hola, Tucson Comunidad!

The City of Tucson's Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) is kicking off the year with new ways to reach out to our various audiences and partners, one of them being this newsletter.

In this newsletter, read about the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan, the Eviction Prevention/Emergency Rent and Utility Relief Program, the 2020 Annual Report, the People, Communities, and Homes Investment Plan (P-CHIP) document and Executive Summary, and the Commission on Equitable Housing and Development (CEHD).

Liz Morales, Director

Upcoming Public Housing Authority Annual Plan and Public Meeting

The Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan is a comprehensive guide to PHA policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals.

The City of Tucson Draft PHA Annual Plan and 5-Year Capital Plan is now open for a 45-day review period.

Read the PHA Annual Plan

2020 Annual Report

The City of Tucson’s Housing and Community Development Department’s 2020 Annual Report is now available. The report covers the two main divisions within the department, COVID-19 response through various projects and services, 2020’s planned projects, and the vision for 2021.

Read the 2020 Annual Report

Eviction Prevention/Emergency Rent and Utility Relief Program

The next round of Rent and Utility Assistance Program funding will be done in partnership with Pima County and the Community Investment Corporation (CIC), with one application portal for anyone in the region to apply. The program will continue to provide support for residents struggling to pay rent or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Tucson received $16 million in funding from the Department of Treasury to support Tucson households. There is currently a 3,000+ program waitlist and this funding is anticipated to serve 6,000-7,000 households. Case processing and funding will begin in mid-March.

Eligibility requirements:

Total renter household income is at/or below eighty-percent (80%) Area Median Income (“AMI”) as established by US Housing & Urban Development Department
Renter is eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits or has experienced a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
Renter has a demonstrated risk of homelessness, housing instability, or is residing in unsafe living conditions
Renter’s household is experiencing a financial crisis due to COVID-19
Emergency Rental Assistance, for costs identified in Landlord/Tenant Rent Arrears Settlement Agreement & Payment Plan

View the program website and join the waiting list

P-CHIP Document and Executive Summary

The City of Tucson’s People, Communities, and Homes Investment Plan (P-CHIP) was adopted by City of Tucson Mayor and Council on Jan. 20, 2021.

The plan creates a framework for investing in Tucson's ‘Infrastructure of Opportunity’. It identifies priorities and strategies to address Tucson’s most acute challenges.

Built on previous community plans, the most current data, and broad public outreach, the P-CHIP guides funding allocations for Tucson's federal and local funding sources, administered by the City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department. Examples of eligible projects and programs includes services for persons experiencing homelessness, housing rehabilitation programs, neighborhood enhancements, and more.

Yesterday, Sunday Feb. 28, the P-CHIP Call for Projects applications closed. A committee of staff and stakeholders will review the proposals and make recommendations to the HCD Director. On Tuesday, March 23, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council will review the Draft HCD Annual Action Plan.

View the P-CHIP plan document and executive summary

Commission on Equitable Housing and Development

Through the direction of Mayor and Council, the City of Tucson has formed the Commission on Equitable Housing and Development (CEHD). The 17 member commission will focus on increasing City investment in housing, preserving affordability while increasing housing production/stock, facilitating equitable conversations, and much more.

Visit the CEHD website to view meeting materials, upcoming meetings, and watch previous meeting recordings