Tucson city officials are stepping up their ongoing efforts to address homelessness, crime, and housing challenges, outlining their priorities and goals during last week’s city council meeting.

In response to the rising number of unsheltered residents, officials are continuing to focus on expanding housing and shelter options, reducing violence and handling legal issues related to homelessness.

Brandi Champion, director of the city’s Housing First program, highlighted its proactive approach to outreach, assessment, and shelter operations, telling city council members that the program has been at the forefront of the city’s strategy to address homelessness. 

The program is designed to offer immediate shelter without prerequisites, such as sobriety or employment, which Champion said is often a barrier for individuals experiencing homelessness.

She talked about how the program’s staffers continue to identify and assess encampments throughout the city, their efforts guided by the city’s encampment dashboard. The tool tracks reported encampments and allows outreach teams to engage directly with people living on the streets and offer critical services, including access to housing, healthcare and other resources.

"We want to build accountability by returning to the encampments and building trust with these people, continuing to offer them services," Champion said.

Housing First currently supports 45 adults and 45 children at The Wildcat shelter, while Desert Cove, operated by Community Bridges, serves 23 adults and three children. Together, the shelters serve as a critical resource for those in need of emergency housing and wraparound services.

In addition to shelter operations, Housing First has been instrumental in supporting permanent housing solutions.

Over the past year, Housing First has served more than 2,000 individuals and families through street outreach, permanent supportive housing and shelter services.

The program also works with Tucson Unified School District’s Homeless Education and Resource Team, which serves homeless students and its families by providing critical wraparound services to its more than 100 participants. The initiative plays a key role in helping individuals stabilize and maintain housing, Champion said.

The city has also been working on expanding its housing options, with several new projects underway.

Plans to create a 70-bed shelter at the Amphi Housing Resource Center are moving forward, with a target opening date of March. The facility will be a low-barrier shelter, providing housing without strict prerequisites, and will feature additional modular facilities for restrooms, showers, and laundry services. 

Tucson officials are also grappling with legal challenges as part of the city’s response to homelessness, particularly related to Proposition 312. The law, approved by Arizona voters in November,  allows property owners to file claims for reimbursement of property taxes if they assert that the city’s failure to enforce laws related to homelessness has caused them additional costs.

City Attorney Michael Rankin addressed the city’s legal response to these claims, noting that Tucson needs to update its ordinances to better protect the city from potential lawsuits. Rankin emphasized the importance of cleaning up outdated laws that are no longer enforceable due to changes in state and federal law.

"Proposition 312 creates a claim for any property owner to file for reimbursement of property taxes," Rankin explained. "The claims are based on an assertion that the city has failed to enforce certain laws, which has caused property owners to incur additional costs."

Rankin pointed to several ordinances, including the city’s outdated rules regarding soliciting from traffic medians, squatting on city property, and camping in public parks, as vulnerable to challenges under the new law. He suggested that these ordinances need to be revised to ensure they are enforceable and aligned with current legal standards.

In response to the growing number of legal claims, city leaders have agreed to take action by updating ordinances to make it harder for property owners to win lawsuits under Prop 312. The city has already begun a review of these ordinances, and proposed changes will be sent to the mayor and council for approval.

Tucson’s leaders are optimistic about the city’s ability to address homelessness, reduce crime, and respond to legal challenges effectively. While the issues are complex, city officials believe that continued investment in housing, data-driven crime reduction strategies, and legal reforms will help improve conditions across Tucson.

"Ultimately, we’re focused on improving our community’s safety and well-being," said City Manager Tim Thomure. "But this will require ongoing investment, collaboration, and legal adjustments to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our residents."

Angelina Maynes is a University of Arizona alum and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

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