City Manager Announces Four Key
Leadership Appointments to the
Community Safety, Health and Wellness Team
Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure announces four key leadership appointments to the Community Safety, Health and Wellness Program team.
The Community Safety, Health and Wellness program was formed in 2022 by the Mayor and Council to expand the City’s approach to public safety beyond traditional models. It is a driving force in advancing the City’s Safe City Initiative, a comprehensive strategy to strengthen community well-being, expand access to housing and behavioral health services, and prevent violence before it occurs.
Brandi Champion
Community Safety Health and Wellness Program Director
Brandi Champion has been appointed to serve as the Community Safety Program Director, overseeing citywide efforts to provide non-police responses to behavioral health and social service needs. Champion coordinates multidisciplinary teams that connect residents in crisis to the right care and resources, reducing strain on emergency response systems and building stronger, safer neighborhoods. Champion started with the City of Tucson’s Housing and Community Development department in December 2020 and was promoted to Housing First Program Director in October 2021, implementing a new program for the City of Tucson. Under Champion's leadership, the Housing First Program has served over 4,500 people experiencing homelessness with outreach, navigation, shelter and connections to permanent housing solutions. She also was instrumental in obtaining over $13 million in federal and state funding that has been instrumental in removing barriers and providing critical services for housing stability.
Champion’s leadership and proven record of program implementation and successful relationships with her peers and in the community are reasons she was selected to lead and serve as the Community Safety Program Director.
In Champion’s role leading the Community Safety, Health and Wellness team, she oversees and guides these individuals in their new roles that also support community safety, which include:
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Allison Chappell
Housing First Program Director
Chappell has been appointed to serve as Housing First Program Director, leading efforts to expand the Housing First model —providing safe, stable housing as the foundation for addressing mental health, employment, and recovery. Chappell will collaborate with local and regional partners to reduce homelessness and ensure long-term stability for Tucson’s most vulnerable residents.
Chappell started with the City of Tucson January 2022 supporting the Housing First Program Director and was promoted to Community Services Manager, overseeing the City’s shelters and bringing in the needed supportive services. Chappell is dynamic, compassionate and innovative. She is well respected by her peers and other service providers.
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Justin Hamilton
Multi-Agency Resource Coordinator
Justin Hamilton has been appointed to serve as the Multi-Agency Resource Coordinator, where he will lead interagency collaboration to strengthen and streamline homelessness response and prevention efforts.
Hamilton works closely with City departments and partner organizations to implement and improve Tucson’s Homeless Protocol (HP), a coordinated system for outreach, response, and service connection. Hamilton also meets regularly with residents and businesses to address questions and concerns. His experience working as an outreach worker and lead encampment assessor has allowed him to build his knowledge and skills on how to best work with those who are unsheltered and living with substance and mental health disorders.
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Oscar Medina
Violence Prevention and Intervention Manager
Oscar Medina has been appointed to serve as Violence Prevention and Intervention Manager, leading a data-informed strategy to reduce violence by addressing root causes and promoting community healing through coordinated partnerships.
Medina will guide efforts that support individuals and communities most impacted by violence and gang activity—prioritizing prevention, intervention, and support services grounded in public health. Medina’s most recent role was serving as the Community Enrichment Coordinator with the Violence Interruption and Vitalization Action (VIVA) Program providing education and resource connections to families and youth in high gun violence areas. He also was instrumental in the implementation of the Community Safety Leadership Institute, tapping into his previous experience teaching for more than 10 years.
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“Disrupting cycles of poverty and violence is important to building a safe City,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “These staff members bring a deep knowledge of this work, are connected to our community, and are ready to step in and deliver the results that Tucsonans deserve. These key appointments in our Community Safety, Health and Wellness Program understand the urgency of our needs, and will be working closely with TPD, TFD, and our Housing and Community Development department to deliver safety to our residents.”
These new appointments to the Community Safety, Health, and Wellness team join the Care Coordinators who provide short-term case management and connect residents calling 311 to essential community services.
“These team members bring deep expertise and compassion to their work,” said Assistant City Manager Liz Morales. “Their roles reflect our Mayor and Council's and organization's commitment to a public safety system that is proactive and rooted in care for our community.”
The City’s Safe City Initiative was developed in response to extensive community engagement which emphasized the need to expand mental health services, address homelessness, and invest in community safety. By bringing together public health, housing, and safety under a unified strategy, Tucson aims to reduce harm, improve quality of life, and ensure every resident feels safe and supported.
For more information about the Safe City Initiative and community safety programs, visit tucsonaz.gov.
Safe City Initiative Community Letter from Mayor Romero
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