We are convening and connecting with our partners across the state to advocate for immediate relief for those experiencing homelessness and those on the brink of losing their homes, as well as putting forward recommendations for system changes and structural reforms to create a better housing market for all. The policy choices we make now to weather this virus can also lead us to a better path for the future that helps all Arizonans in their pursuit of a safe, affordable place to call home.
Coalition Policy Priority Wins!
Since 2020, the Arizona Housing Coalition has been calling for the reconvening of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness to provide a multi-agency, cross-sector response to our statewide housing crisis. In January 2023, Governor Hobbs reestablished the Council, naming it the Governor's Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing. The Council will plan and develop policies aimed at addressing homelessness in the state.
In May of 2023, the Arizona State Legislature and Governor Hobbs negotiated and approved historic investments to address housing and homelessness. $150 million in one-time spending was allocated to the Housing Trust Fund, the largest investment in state history, and $60 million was allocated to a new fund dedicated to emergency shelter and supportive services. There were additional allocations to address human and social services included in the state budget, bringing total investments to more than $230 million for FY24. This is a huge victory for the Coalition's membership and our statewide community.
In May of 2023, the Arizona State Legislature and Governor Hobbs negotiated and approved historic investments to address housing and homelessness. $150 million in one-time spending was allocated to the Housing Trust Fund, the largest investment in state history, and $60 million was allocated to a new fund dedicated to emergency shelter and supportive services. There were additional allocations to address human and social services included in the state budget, bringing total investments to more than $230 million for FY24. This is a huge victory for the Coalition's membership and our statewide community.
FY24 Priorities
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Allocate state investments to housing trust fund
The Housing Trust Fund is used throughout the state to financially support services such as rental assistance, foreclosure and eviction prevention, construction for affordable housing, and emergency housing needs. The Fund has helped finance affordable housing units, assist rural families to become homeowners, and support homeless prevention programs and other critical needs. The Coalition is advocating to secure a significant one-time investment to the Fund as well as sustainable, ongoing allocations. Renew the state low income housing tax credit
In 2021, Arizona joined 22 other states in creating its own state Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, modeled after the federal LIHTC program enacted in 1996. LIHTC is a proven strategy that works and helps affordable housing developers access financing that can be paired with other federal and local funds to incentivize the construction of more affordable units. The Coalition seeks to identify robust funding sources to increase the state LIHTC past the current funding term (through 2025) to protect this needed resource for affordable housing development in the future. Support Tenant Protections
This year there are a few bills proffering additional tenant protections, including a bill that will permit mobile home residents to utilize cooling methods such as window air conditioners without interference from mobile home park management and another that would require eviction notifications to include reference to eviction help resources for tenants. The Coalition supports these types of measures which operate to increase housing stability among Arizona residents. |
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Policy Statement on Zoning
The Arizona Housing Coalition has identified zoning as both a primary cause of and potential solution to some of the housing challenges we are facing across the state. Changes to zoning laws could result in more housing in urban, suburban, and rural areas that can meet our state’s growing population and the accompanying need for additional affordable housing units.
It is our position that cities and towns should implement locally tailored changes to zoning laws that result in quicker and more efficient construction of affordable housing. These reforms may include:
It is our position that cities and towns should implement locally tailored changes to zoning laws that result in quicker and more efficient construction of affordable housing. These reforms may include:
- Allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or single-room occupancy units on a residential lot;
- Allowing higher density zoning that can lead to more development of low and moderate-income housing;
- Permitting higher density residential projects in or near commercial and mixed-use zones, major transit investment corridors, or employment centers;
- Reducing restrictive requirements for affordable housing projects, such as minimum parking spaces, minimum unit sizes, or common area requirements;
- Providing zoning and financial incentives to developers who dedicate a certain percentage of units to market or below market rate housing; and
- Allowing local governments to dedicate a percentage of existing revenues from a specific district to be used for affordable housing development, such as tax increment financing or Opportunity Zones.
Advocacy is the heart of what we do.
At the direction of our Board of Directors and our Legislative Steering Committee, we closely monitor issues and policies at our state's capitol and are ready to act to advance sound policies and laws that address the root causes of homelessness and create more affordable housing opportunities throughout Arizona. We are proud of the power the Coalition’s voice holds at our nation's capitol, our state capitol, and in our communities.
