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. INCREASE funding for COORDINATED Homeless PROGRAM
The Coordinated Homeless Program, administered by the Department of Economic Security, is responsible for developing and implementing the State Plan to End Homelessness. The Coalition is advocating for operating dollars for this program. Funding could be allocated from the general fund or an increase of lottery funds. Program goals include: ensuring individuals are connected to available services, providing immediate shelter for individuals who are at risk or homeless, providing assistance to families to avoid homelessness, and rapidly transitioning individuals from homelessness to housing. Expand Teacherages across arizona
Arizona statute currently allows rural school districts to allocate funds and property toward developing, procuring, and maintaining housing options for their staff. The Coalition and Coalition member Vitalyst are advocating to expand these options across urban and suburban areas to fill gaps in workforce housing for Arizona educators. EXPAND 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. |
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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. Zoning has historically been used for discriminatory purposes, including through the use of "redlining" for lending. Redlining was designed to exclude marginalized populations from neighborhoods and to give preference to single-family homes over multifamily use. 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:
For additional information on zoning reform, read the Applied Health Policy Institute Issue Brief on Statewide Zoning Reform and Public Health, published in March 2023.
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.
For additional information on zoning reform, read the Applied Health Policy Institute Issue Brief on Statewide Zoning Reform and Public Health, published in March 2023.
Advocacy is the heart of what we do.
At the direction of our Board of Directors and our Policy Committee, we closely monitor issues and policies at our state's capitol and are ready to act to advance sound policies and laws that stem 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.
