We are in an affordable housing crisis. Over the past 2.5 years, median rents in Pima County have increased by more than 35%, far outstripping gains in median wages. The result is that someone now making the median wage in Pima County cannot afford the median-priced apartment. And a big part of the problem is basic supply and demand. We MUST accelerate the building and preservation of affordable housing units across the county if we have any hope of maintaining a community in which all people can afford to live and raise a family.

- Dr. Matt Heinz, Supervisor, District 2

On August 18, the Regional Affordable Housing Commission voted unanimously to direct surplus funds from the General Fund Ending Balance toward the construction and preservation of affordable housing. This recommendation was highlighted in a memo from Supervisor Heinz on August 30. The Board of Supervisors voted to continue the item at their September 19 meeting, and will likely bring it back for discussion in a few months. Write to them and let them know that you support allocating surplus funding toward building and preserving more affordable housing in Pima County!

You can find a handy step-by-step guide for writing a public comment at this link. Feel free to reach out to info@tucsonforeveryone.org with any questions or suggestions!