Tucson, UA Drachman Institute meetings to talk shelter code changes

The city of Tucson is hosting several public meetings, the first of which is set for Sunday, for input on proposed changes to the city’s zoning codes that affect homeless shelters.

City officials announced in early September they plan to partner with the University of Arizona’s Drachman Institute, under the College of Architecture, to host open discussions on zoning regulations that would enable shelters to be established in certain areas, loosen parking rules and other on-site restrictions, simplify the city’s process to approve the launch of such shelters and allow “safe sleeping sites” under certain conditions.

The city’s current rules pertaining to homeless shelters only allow them to be built in certain areas. City officials say zoning requirements can stand in the way of expanding those shelters.

The planned public meetings come after the city declared a housing emergency and opened STAR Village, its first “safe sleeping site” – or publicly sanctioned and funded homeless encampment. The site is located at 244. E Grant Rd.

The Drachman Institute earlier this year planned to install micro-shelters – small, climate-controlled prefab buildings a bed inside – to replace the tents and cots used by residents. The city, however, decided against those designs in June because STAR Village is still in its pilot phase.

Meanwhile, local nonprofit The Homing Project has designs on opening a micro-shelter village at 2934 N. Estrella Ave. on property owned by the Southern Arizona Land Trust.

Both STAR Village and The Homing Project’s site are each intended to house around two dozen women or nonbinary people.

Assistant City Manager Liz Morales in June told the Tucson Sentinel the emergency declaration was intended for nonprofits like the Drachman Institute’s Tucson Hope Factory and The Homing Project to easily install micro-shelters and other groups to step in and set up “safe sleeping sites” like STAR Village.

The first meeting is slated for Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the the Fourth Avenue Coalition Space, located at 311 E. 7th St.

As of Friday, no decisions on the zoning changes have yet been made. Anyone who can’t make it to the meetings can email their feedback to Amanda.Smith@tucsonaz.gov.