NEWS RELEASE: City of Tucson Receives $2.7M from Governor Hobbs, Arizona Department of Housing to Address Unsheltered Homelessness

Tucson, AZ.—The City of Tucson Department of Housing and Community Development will receive $2.7 million in state funds to preserve existing emergency beds for people experiencing homelessness and to expand shelter services. The new funding will be directed towards the purchase of a new hotel to help stabilize the City’s Housing First and emergency shelter services.  

 “I want to thank Governor Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Housing for helping us expand our emergency shelter capacity and purchase an additional property to serve people with our Housing First program," said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “The investments that this Governor and Legislature are making in addressing unsheltered homelessness are crucial for our City to continue implementing our Housing Affordability Strategy for Tucson.” 

The Tucson allocation is part of $20 million in grants to local communities from the newly created Homeless Shelter and Services fund. The money was included in the new state budget signed by Governor Katie Hobbs. The new budget included $60 million for the homeless service fund with $20 million allocated immediately.  

“Housing and Community Development is excited for the much-needed funding to support people experiencing homelessness. Since the unprecedented pandemic aggravated the homelessness crisis, Mayor and Council has doubled its efforts, with the support on the ground from HCD, to mitigate homelessness and to help people and families in great need. HCD will continue its responsible stewardship of the $2.7 million allocated by the state,” said Ann Chanecka, HCD interim director. 

“I’m proud of the immediate relief our bipartisan budget is delivering to the people of Arizona. With the Homeless Shelter and Services Fund and the historic $150 million deposit into Arizona’s Housing Trust Fund, we are making real progress toward ensuring affordable housing for every Arizonan,” said Governor Hobbs. 

The new funds will augment the City’s enhanced services for individuals who are unsheltered. Those services include the Housing First program which operates the Wildcat Inn, a low-barrier shelter where individuals and families can find shelter and support services. The City’s homeless services also provide financial support for Tucson housing non-profit agencies which provide shelter.