Tucson launches rental assistance program

The city of Tucson is offering rental assistance backed by a $175,000 fund managed through the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness, officials announced.

The city’s Commission on Equitable Housing and Development will allow clients of TPCH to apply for help starting Thursday, and will continue accepting applications until the fund is exhausted. 

Officials said there is currently no limit on how much can be requested, however, they said they will need documentation of an individual’s need.

The program is part of a widespread push by the county and city to mitigate the number of people living without a home and improve public safety, using a mix of grants, public funding, and new construction.

Earlier this year, TPCH unveiled a strategic plan, outlining the
community’s needs, while laying out potential solutions and gaps,
including what the organization called a “severe shortage of affordable
housing.”

“Between 2020 and 2023, home values rose by 42% and
rental prices by 36%, while wages increased only modestly,” TPCH said
in the February report.
“As a result, a growing share of households are now severely cost
burdened, spending half or more of their income on housing.”

“The lack of affordable housing remains the single greatest driver of homelessness,” the group said.

Applications for rental assistance must be made by case managers, officials said, noting that individuals cannot apply for themselves. “Case managers serve as point of contact, and ensure applicants are connected to other resources as necessary.”

The commission was created in 2020, and last February, the Tucson City Council amended the city code to make the CEHD the department to oversee the city’s Housing Trust Fund.

Maricopa County, along with the cities of Chandler and Glendale, have also launched rental assistance programs. The Chandler-based charity AZCEND has a program to help people in Chandler, Sun Lakes, and Queen Creek.

Meanwhile, two bills introduced by state Rep. Alma Hernandez are moving through the Arizona Legislature to set aside
$5 million for rental assistance, offering renters to apply for up to
$5,000 to cover two months of rent, KJZZ reported. Hernandez said the bills would create “a targeted rental assistance program to help Arizona renters experiencing short-term financial hardship stay in their homes and regain stability.”

The “gap between need and available resources is stark,” Hernandez said.