This site is intended to offer a wide range of information, resources, and help to the community of Southern Arizona on the topic of affordable housing.  Here you will find information about what affordable housing is, and what it is not.  We have a large amount of resources that include links, stats, data, and contact information.

Well designed, properly manage affordable housing developments do not have negative effect on neighboring property values. Vacant and blighted properties that have been developed into housing have spurred investment in neighboring properties, actually raising values.

There is no correlation between safe, decent and affordable housing and crime. Crime is caused by community disinvestment, overcrowding, and the lack of jobs and community services. Failure to build quality affordable housing leads to slum conditions, overcrowding, and absentee ownership and deteriorating properties with no alternatives for low-income families.

Building affordable housing near jobs supports the use of public transportation, shortens commutes, and eases congestion.

Affordable simply means that housing shouldn’t cost more than 30 percent of the household income—the same standard used by banks in approving home mortgages. It is also has been defined as housing plus utilities plus daily travel expenses that cost no more than 45% of a household’s income. Residents of affordable housing developments also have full-time jobs, children in school, and take pride in their homes.

Infrastructure costs per unit decline significantly as density increases and, with greater school stability due to the availability of affordable housing, public schools benefit from enrollment with improved academic performance and test scores.

The latest generation of affordable and mixed use housing is required to be based on good planning, minimal impact, and conforming to neighborhood design. Good affordable housing can fit the style and size of any community.