Pima County has officially incorporated a 3-cent property tax into its new budget to address the pressing need for affordable housing. This initiative, which was initially passed as a one-year measure, will now extend over the next decade, aiming to generate $225 million for housing programs. The county plans to build over 38,000 housing units, with 60% priced at or below $96,100 for a family of four.

Community Engagement and Budget Details

The final budget adoption hearing is scheduled for June 23, followed by the tax levy adoption on August 11. Residents will have the opportunity to participate in ‘Truth in Taxation’ hearings to discuss the housing tax plan and other budget elements. The 2026-2027 fiscal year budget is set at $1.8 billion, marking a 3.3% increase from the previous year.

Addressing Housing and Homelessness

The county’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to tackle housing affordability and homelessness, which includes the One Pima Initiative and Tucson’s Safe City Initiative. These programs focus on public safety, drug use enforcement, and emergency housing response. Tucson police have reported a significant increase in drug-related arrests as part of these initiatives.

Long-term Housing Solutions

Pima County plans to allocate funds for projects that maintain affordability for at least 30 years, doubling the requirement set by the city of Tucson. This approach is part of a larger $413 million investment plan, combining county, state, and federal resources to meet the housing needs of an aging population and a rise in single-person households.

Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.