Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness

Category: Community

  • TPCH Adds No-Cost Housing Quality Standards Inspection Training to Online Training Center

    TPCH Adds No-Cost Housing Quality Standards Inspection Training to Online Training Center

    TPCH Adds Housing Quality Standards Inspection Training

    to the TPCH Online Training Center

    You asked and we listened!  Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection training is costly. This is especially true for organizations conducting HQS inspections as required for units assisted with Continuum of Care, Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project, Emergency Solutions Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS programs which do not require certified inspectors.

    HUD requires that all HQS inspectors receive HQS inspection training; however, there are limited cost-effective training resources for programs which do not require certified inspectors.  Please note that all units assisted through programs administered by the Public Housing Agency (including Section 8, Public Housing, Specialty, and HOPWA vouchers) must be inspected by certified inspectors.

    How Much Does the TPCH Training Cost? 

    The TPCH Non-Certified HQS Inspector Training is available at no cost for staff of TPCH member agencies.  The training modules are available on demand within the TPCH Online Training Center, along with dozens of other training topics relevant to the work of homeless services staff. Our on demand training platform allows staff to access the training resources they need 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

    Who Can Benefit from TPCH’s HQS Inspection Training? 

    This training is appropriate and meets HUD requirements for non-certified HQS Inspectors.  Non-certified HQS Inspectors are eligible to complete HQS inspections for units assisted through the CoC, YHDP, and HOPWA programs, excluding units which also receive vouchers through the Public Housing Authority.  HQS standards exceed housing habitability standards required for ESG-assisted units and non-certified HQS inspectors may complete Housing Habitability Standard inspection or HQS inspection for ESG-assisted units.

    If the unit assisted receives a voucher through the Public Housing Authority, inspections must be completed by a certified inspector. This training does not lead to certification and cannot be used to prepare inspectors for voucher or public housing inspections.

    If your are unsure whether your program requires certified inspectors, please email tpch@tucsonaz.gov for guidance.

    What Does the Training Cover? 

    The training is divided into 12 modules which can be completed in separate sittings ranging from 15-50 minutes/module.  The total training series is approximately 5 hours long and includes:

    Module 1 – HQS Overview and Administration
    Module 2 – HQS Scheduling
    Module 3 – General HQS Requirements
    Module 4 – General Room Requirements
    Module 5 – Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Plumbing
    Module 6 – Heating and Cooling
    Module 7 – Exterior and Lead Based Paint
    Module 8 – General Health & Safety
    Module 9 – Conducting HQS Inspections – Part 1 (Practical Inspection Strategies)
    Module 10 – Conducting HQS Inspections – Part 2 (HQS Inspection Walk Through)
    Module 11 – Completing the HUD HQS Inspection Checklist
    Module 12 – Tenant Communications and Relationships

    What Else is Included? 

    The training series includes a number of resources that can be downloaded and used in your HQS Inspection administration.  These tools include:

    Resource 1 – HQS Training Slide Deck
    Resource 2 – Tenant Communications and Relationships Slide Deck
    Resource 3 – Annual Inspection Letter Template
    Resource 4 – Failed Inspection Letter Template
    Resource 5 – Passed Inspection Letter Template
    Resource 6 – Quality Control Inspection Letter Template

    Can I Get Proof of Completion? 

    Participants will automatically receive a certificate of completion through the TPCH Online Training Center once they have completed all modules and obtained a passing score on the training exam.  The certificate of completion should be saved by the staff member and their employer as evidence of having completed HQS Inspection training.

    How do I get started? 

    Click here or visit www.tpch.net and select “E-Learning” from top toolbar to access the TPCH Online Training Center.  Once you’re logged in, search for Housing Quality Standards Inspection Training from the course catalog to register and begin training on your time.

    First time using the Online Training Center? 

    If you have not accessed the online training center within the past 90 days, you will need to submit a registration request following the instruction provided. TPCH staff will confirm your affiliation with a member organization before approving your registration.  This can take 2-3 business days and must be complete before you will have access to the training catalog.

  • Striving Toward Racial Justice Issue #2 – Targeted Universalism

    Striving Toward Racial Justice Issue #2 – Targeted Universalism

     

    Striving Toward Racial Justice
    Issue #2 – Targeted Universalism

    TPCH released Striving Toward Racial Justice: A Call-to-Action for Pima County Community-Based Organizations, in partnership with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women in November 2021.  As we begin 2022, we are calling on community organizations and our housing partners to deepen our shared resolve to advancing racial equity.  This email series provides a summary of key concepts and strategies discussed in the Call to Action and i packed with useful resources and tools to help community organizations as they strive toward racial justice.

    In this issue, we introduce Targeted Universalism as a pro-active strategy to center racial justice and advance racial equity in program design, delivery, and evaluation.

    Don’t miss our next issue in which we introduce Action 1 – Public Commitments to Racial Equity.  Can’t wait?  Click here to download the full Call to Action now. 
    Targeted Universalism

    For organizations who strive to focus on racial justice, the challenge of where to begin can seem daunting. Targeted policies may be perceived by stakeholders as more favoring to a particular group rather than the entire community. As an alternative to targeted policies, a universal approach – often portrayed as race neutral – may be implemented as a method to increase positive outcomes for everyone.

    But a universal approach often discards the reality of historically oppressed groups, in that they are often disenfranchised from accessing social resources.

    Both targeted and universal approaches can be controversial since they appear to either favor certain groups and/or neglect historical inequities. An alternative to either a universal or a targeted approach is targeted universalism.

    Targeted universalism is a framework for designing strategy that acknowledges the overall goals of an organization, while simultaneously addressing the disparity in access between differently-situated groups, such as quality education, well paying work, fair mortgages and more. To transform structural injustice into structural opportunity, strategies need to address these contrasts and measure success based on outcomes.
    Watch this brief animated Targeted Universalism explainer video from UC Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute.
    Targeted Universalism Action Steps

    Targeted universalism requires intentional, goal-oriented steps. The Haas Institute Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society identifies these steps as:

    1. Establishing a universal goal based upon a broadly shared recognition of a societal problem and collective aspirations.

    2. Assessing the general population performance relative to the universal goal.

    3. Identifying groups and places that are performing differently with respect to the goal. Groups should be disaggregated

    4. Assessing and understanding the structures that support or impede each group or community from achieving the universal goal

    5. Developing and implementing targeted strategies for each group to reach the universal goal.

    To create and implement justice, we must build a decision-making process with intentional, goal-oriented strategies that are designed to dismantle patterns of discrimination created by systems of advantage.

    The implementation of justice requires that we view inequities through a systemic lens, instead of from a deficit lens, recognizing that cultural principles based on meritocracy, equal opportunity and personal responsibility are influenced by external factors that generate advantages for some and disadvantages for others
    Targeted Universalism Resources

    Targeted Universalism Policy & Practice Primer
    Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society

    Targeted Universalism Curriculum
    Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society

    Targeted Universalism Podcast with John A. Powell
    Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society

    Implementing Targeted Universalism
    Case Study: King County
    Authors
    It is with the upmost admiration, respect and appreciation that we thank the authors for their critical contribution to this call-to action. In addition to their daily tireless commitment and relentless dedication to achieving racial justice in our community, they lent their expertise and passion to the hopeful notion that local organizations are willing to better serve their clients and better support their staff. Each of you makes our community a more just place.
    Claudia Powell
    Casey Chimneystar Limón-Condit
    Marisol Flores-Aguirre
    Anna Harper-Guerrero
    Mildred Manuel
    Andrés Portela III
    Claudio Rodriguez
    DOWNLOAD THE FULL CALL TO ACTION
    WATCH THE VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE CALL TO ACTION
  • Striving Toward Racial Justice Issue #1: Introducing Racial Justice and Racism

    Striving Toward Racial Justice Issue #1: Introducing Racial Justice and Racism

    Striving Toward Racial Justice Series

    TPCH released Striving Toward Racial Justice: A Call-to-Action for Pima County Community-Based Organizations, in partnership with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women in November 2021.  As we begin 2022, we are calling on community organizations and our housing partners to deepen our shared resolve to advancing racial equity.

    Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing the Striving Toward Racial Justice series which includes 7 key actions community-based organizations can take to better understand and positively affect change to reduce racial disparities within our communities, services, and organizations. Each message will include background information about the key action, recommended strategies, and publicly available resources and tools to help your staff, volunteers, and leadership as you strive toward racial justice.

     

    Issue #1
    An Introduction to our Call to Action and Key Concepts

     

    In this issue, we begin to lay the foundation of understanding needed to engage in the 7 Actions outlined in the Call to Action by exploring the meaning and impact of racial justice and racism.

    Don’t miss our next issue introducing Targeted Universalism as a key strategy toward reducing disparity and advancing racial justice in community-based work.  Can’t wait?  Click here to download the full Call to Action now. 

     

    About the Call to Action

    Striving Towards Racial Justice is not a toolkit, nor is it a step-by-step guide.

    Rather, this call to action (CTA) provides direct information on the imperative to address racial injustice, and strategies your organization can implement to address racial inequities.

    Organizations (inclusive of their clients, community members, staff and leadership) are best suited to determine their own best plan, and stakeholders must work collaboratively, and as equal partners. Many organizations may have already started racial justice work, but may feel that their efforts are being stalled, or that efforts have been ineffective. The suggested actions in this CTA may help reignite teams or provide a framework for this work.

    Examining and collecting data on racial disparities that may exist internally among staff and externally among client groups is a critical component of the process. However, organizations must resist becoming entrenched in the data collection and examination process. With the mass amounts of data organizations often collect, every analysis will likely lead to additional data-related questions that could delay tangible action and work.

     

    Striving Toward Racial Justice is a call to action for community-based organizations in Southern Arizona. While many organizations have made a commitment to racial justice, action has been slow to follow.

     

    Understanding Racial Justice

    Race Forward describes racial justice as the systematic, fair treatment of people from different races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all. Racial justice goes beyond “anti-racism.”

    It is not just the absence of discrimination and inequities, but also the presence of intentional systems and resources which produce and sustain racial justice through proactive and preventative measures.

     

    In Operationalizing Racial Justice in Non-Profit Organizations, Maggie Potapchuk outlines a path for operationalizing racial justice by reimagining and co-creating a just and liberated world. This includes:

    1. Understanding the history of racism and the system of White supremacy and addressing past harms;

    2. Working in right relationship and accountability in an ecosystem (an issue, sector, or community ecosystem) for collective change;

    3. Implementing interventions that use an intersectional analysis and that impact multiple systems;

    4 .Centering Blackness and building the community, cultural, economic, and political power of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC); and

    5. Applying the practice of love along with disruption and resistance to the status quo.

     

    Understanding Racism

    Race Forward identifies four levels of racism; this model extends the notion that racism is limited to acts of prejudice or discrimination, based on race, executed by one individual onto another. The institution of racism and the historical impact of racism persist throughout society, from the individual level to the systemic level:

    Internalized Racism refers to individual biases and ideas about race induced by our human predisposition to form in-groups and out-groups, and the personal impact of internalized racialized messages about our social groups. When these messages are combined with our natural tendency to follow cognitive scripts, we experience dissonance between our conscious values and unconscious biases.

    Interpersonal Racism refers to internalized cultural messages that are shared through personal interactions. These messages are sustained through shared practices that often include some individuals and groups, and exclude others.

    Institutional Racism refers to institutions and organizations adopting and/or maintaining policies and procedures that result in inequitable outcomes for people of color. Institutional racism may occur within schools, courts, the military, government organizations, businesses and any number of other organizations. Some of these institutional practices lead to disparities in employment, education, incarceration, healthcare and more.

    Structural Racism refers to the way historical, social, psychological, cultural and political norms perpetuate advantages based on race. Examples include racial disparities across wealth, educational attainment, life expectancy, and access to resources.

    Learn more about racial justice, levels of racism, and other key racial equity concepts at https://www.raceforward.org/about/what-is-racial-equity-key-concepts. 

     

    Authors

     

    It is with the upmost admiration, respect and appreciation that we thank the authors for their critical contribution to this call-to action. In addition to their daily tireless commitment and relentless dedication to achieving racial justice in our community, they lent their expertise and passion to the hopeful notion that local organizations are willing to better serve their clients and better support their staff. Each of you makes our community a more just place.

    Claudia Powell
    Casey Chimneystar Limón-Condit
    Marisol Flores-Aguirre
    Anna Harper-Guerrero
    Mildred Manuel
    Andrés Portela III
    Claudio Rodriguez

     

    DOWNLOAD THE FULL CALL TO ACTION

     

    WATCH THE VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE CALL TO ACTION
  • Everyone Counts! 2022 Street Count Scheduled for January 26, 2022

    Everyone Counts! 2022 Street Count Scheduled for January 26, 2022

    Volunteers Needed for 2022 Pima County Street Count

    January 26, 2022 (6am-11am)

    Register today at http://www.bit.ly/everyone2022

     

    About the Street Count

    Every year during the end of January, TPCH conducts an one-night count of people experiencing homelessness in Pima County. One component of the Point in Time Count is the street count, locally referred to as Everyone Counts! During the street count, teams of community volunteers work with service providers and street outreach teams to locate people who are unhoused and ask them a short series of survey questions. Survey responses help provide valuable information, direct support services and inform funding decisions in our community and beyond. Those sleeping in nightly shelters, emergency shelters, and transitional housing will be counted through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) the same night.

    Finding people in our county who are unhoused in a single day is an enormous task! TPCH coordinates dozens of local agencies and recruits hundreds of volunteers to meet the goals of the project. Locations that provide services to people who may experience homelessness are surveying their clients. In addition, TPCH hosts a special Youth Count event for young people experiencing homelessness on the same day.

    New This Year

    In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, TPCH is taking several additional precautions to protect Street Count volunteers and our unhoused neighbors.  All volunteers will be required to wear a face mask, practice social distancing to the greatest extent possible, and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Additionally, this year’s count will use an electronic survey application, easily accessible from volunteers’ smart phones or tablets, instead of paper forms.

    Sign Up to Volunteer

    • If you are able to help count people, we need your help.  You will receive training before the count and be paired with a team including an experienced team lead.  No prior experience is needed.  
    • All volunteers must be age 18 or older.
    • All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Fully vaccinated means that you received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or your second dose of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines on or before January 12, 2022 (2 weeks before the event).
    • All volunteers are required to participate in online training before the event.
    • All volunteers must commit to approaching people experiencing homelessness from a place of compassion and understanding.

    Register to volunteer at http://www.bit.ly/everyone2022

    Volunteer Training

    All volunteers are required to participate in one Volunteer Training during one of the following times:

    • Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 5:30pm-6:30pm (Virtually via Zoom)
    • Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 9:00am-10:00am (Virtually via Zoom)
    • Virtual on-demand on the TPCH website (available on January 12, 2022)

    The training will give you an opportunity to learn:

    • What to expect on the morning of the count?
    • How to use the survey app on a smart phone?
    • How to conduct a survey with a person experiencing homelessness?

    This is a valuable opportunity to volunteer for a single day, show kindness to neighbors who are unhoused, and contribute to a count that influences services and funding. Please join us!

    Questions?  Please email everyonecounts@tpch.net

     

     

  • We’re Hiring! Join the TPCH Continuum of Care Lead Agency Team!

    We’re Hiring! Join the TPCH Continuum of Care Lead Agency Team!

    The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department is hiring the position of  Community Services and Neighborhood Resources Project Coordinator (Continuum of Care).  This position is a key staff in the Department’s Planning and Community Development Division and are responsible for providing administrative leadership and support to the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH).

    The application period closes December 6, 2021.

    Click here to review the job description and apply online. 

    TPCH is a community-based coalition of government entities, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, faith communities, volunteer groups, and community members working together to prevent and end homelessness in Tucson and throughout Pima County, Arizona.  TPCH has a bold strategic plan centered on efforts to end chronic homelessness, reduce and abbreviate episodes of homelessness among all people, elevate the voices and authority of persons with lived and living experience of housing instability, and advance racial equity and housing justice in Southern Arizona.

    Learn more about TPCH at www.tpch.net.

    Click here to review TPCH’s Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Tucson/Pima County.

    Ready to join the team? 

    Click here to review the position description and apply. 

  • City of Tucson Issues Request for Proposals for Non-Congregate Shelter/Bridge Housing Operations & Supportive Services

    City of Tucson Issues Request for Proposals for Non-Congregate Shelter/Bridge Housing Operations & Supportive Services

    City of Tucson Issues Request for Proposals

    Non-Congregate Shelter/Bridge Housing

    Shelter Operations (Scope of Work 1) and Supportive Services (Scope of Work 2)

     Responses Due: December 6, 2021, 12:00pm (Noon)

    Download the full Request for Proposals with Attachments

    Download the Mandatory Excel Budget Form

    BACKGROUND

    The City of Tucson has planned with the community to respond to the COVID-19 virus and heightened risk among unsheltered persons by supporting and funding efforts to provide housing and other services to persons experiencing or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness. The City of Tucson has received supplemental funding through the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act to address emergent needs related to COVID-19 and homelessness. As a result of the COVID-19 health emergency, expanded shelter capacity is needed to reduce risk of health complications to vulnerable people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. To address this critical gap, the City of Tucson has purchased multiple properties for use as non-congregate shelter and has additional purchases currently underway.

    Project funding will include American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, HOME American Rescue Plan, Emergency Solutions Grant – CARES Act, and/or other possible federal, state, and local sources. Selected applicants will be required to comply fully with applicable Federal requirements except where waivers of regular requirements have been obtained by the City of Tucson and authorized for use by the selected offeror(s) in writing by the City of Tucson.

    Expectations may evolve based on changes in local infrastructure, infection rates, and community response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The selected offeror(s) will be required to work closely with community teams and adjust services as directed by the City of Tucson.

    PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE (November 29, 2021 – 9am-10:15am)

    The City of Tucson shall conduct a virtual pre-proposal conference from 9:00am to 10:15am on Monday, November 29, 2021.  All offerors are strongly encouraged to review this Request for Proposals in full and to attend the pre-proposal conference. Offerors will be provided an opportunity to ask specific questions related to this Request for Proposals and the scopes of work solicited during the pre-proposal conference.

    Interested offerors should register for the pro-proposal conference at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y9hYtyRsQ2iZZ3DdafhI_w.

     SERVICES SOLICITED UNDER THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

     The City of Tucson invites proposals from eligible not-for-profit entities with capacity to provide Non-Congregate Shelter Operations and Supportive Services at various non-congregate shelter facilities owned by the City of Tucson. The City of Tucson shall issue separate awards for Non-Congregate Shelter Operations and Supportive Services but will include a preference for offerors capable of offering both scopes of work at one facility and/or multiple scopes of work at multiple facilities.

    FACILITIES INCLUDED IN THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

    The City of Tucson intends to issue one or more funding awards for the Non-Congregate Shelter Operations and Supportive Services at the following facilities. Interested applicants may drive by the properties but may not enter the properties or approach tenants or current operators.

    Wildcat Residence: 49-unit motel property located at 1701 N. Oracle Road in Tucson, Arizona.

    Desert Cove Residence: 23-bedroom multi-structure property located at 1833 W. Anklam Road in Tucson, Arizona.

    Oracle Residence: 18-unit motor lodge property located at 2445 N. Oracle Road in Tucson, Arizona.

    Additional details regarding each facility are provided in Exhibit A – Facility Overview and Offeror Requirements provided as an attachment to this Request for Proposals.

    SCOPES OF WORK

    Pursuant to Federal funding guidelines, this Request for Proposals includes two distinct scopes of work. Separate awards will be issued for each scope of work; however, offerors are encouraged to submit applications for multiple scopes of work.

    Scope of Work #1 – Non-Congregate Shelter/Bridge Housing Operations: Shelter Operations shall be funded using American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and/or other Federal, State, or local sources. Shelter Operations include basic shelter oversight and operations, intake, recordkeeping, and reporting, security and 24-hour supervision.  The full scope of work outlining requirements of offerors is provided as Exhibit B – Non-Congregate Shelter/Bridge Housing Scope of Work and attached to this Request for Proposals.

    Scope of Work #2 – Non-Congregate Shelter/Bridge Housing Supportive Services: Supportive services shall be funded using American Rescue Plan HOME (HOME-ARP) funds and/or other Federal, State, or local sources. Supportive services must be offered to all non-congregate shelter/bridge housing residents and may not be required to obtain or maintain non-congregate shelter/bridge housing residency. Required supportive services include case management, housing search assistance, meal or grocery assistance, and coordinated service linkages. Offerors may and are encouraged to additionally provide optional supportive services as defined in the Exhibit C – Non-Congregate Shelter/Bridge Housing Supportive Services and attached to this Request for Proposals.

    FUNDING AVAILABLE

    The City of Tucson has not established minimum of maximum request amounts. Offerors are advised to propose lean, competitive budgets which are prudent, reasonable, and necessary to deliver proposed services. Overall cost will be accounted for as a factor in selecting qualified offers. Offerors which commit leverage or matching funds through outside resources may be prioritized for selection.

    The City of Tucson anticipates making one or more awards under this solicitation.  Offerors may apply for up to the maximum amount described for each scope of work included in the application. The City of Tucson reserves the right to increase/decrease award budgets or to make no awards under this solicitation at its discretion.

    Additional funds may become available at a later date to expand or continue the project beyond the initial project period. Project services may be budgeted for the performance period stated in each component’s scope of work; however, households should be exited to self-sufficiency or longer-term housing subsidies/services as soon as possible.

    QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS SOLICITATION

     All questions regarding this solicitation should be emailed to jason.thorpe@tucsonaz.gov. Please allow up to two business days for a response.

    APPLICATION MATERIALS

    Download the full Request for Proposals with Attachments

    Download the Mandatory Excel Budget Form

     

  • TPCH Quarterly Membership Meeting – November 18, 2021

    TPCH Quarterly Membership Meeting – November 18, 2021

    Join TPCH for our Quarterly Membership/General Council Meetings on Thursday, November 18

    3pm-5pm (virtual meeting conducted using Zoom) 

    This meeting will be held virtually and pre-registration is required. Register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gV2ACiO-TE6KAG_Eu8PFHQ.

    After registering, you will receive an automated email with details to access the meeting.

    Summary Meeting Agenda

    Community Celebrations
    Facilitated by Daniela Figueroa, CoC Board Chairperson

    Maintaining Momentum to End Homelessness – Introducing FUSE and House America Initiatives

    FUSE presented by Margaret Adams, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)

    House America presented by Brandi Champion, City of Tucson Housing First Director

    Quarterly Update on TPCH Activities
    Presented by Karen Fogas, CoC Lead Agency (City of Tucson)

    TPCH Committee and Coalition Updates
    Presented by Committee and Committee Leaders

    Follow the links below to download meeting agenda and materials.

    Meeting Materials

    TPCH General Council Meeting Agenda (November 18, 2021)

    TPCH Voting Member Roster as of November 1, 2021

    TPCH General Council Meeting Minutes – Draft (May 13, 2021)

  • TPCH Releases ‘Striving Toward Racial Justice: A Call to Action’ in Partnership with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women and City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department

    TPCH Releases ‘Striving Toward Racial Justice: A Call to Action’ in Partnership with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women and City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department

    TPCH Releases “Striving Toward Racial Justice – A Call to Action” in Partnership with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women and City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department

    Striving Toward Racial Justice is a call to action for community-based organizations in Southern Arizona. While many organizations have made a commitment to racial justice, action has been slow to follow. Striving Toward Racial Justice offers resources and tips for local organizations to translate commitment to action and results.

    Striving Towards Racial Justice is not a toolkit, nor is it a step-by-step guide.

    Rather, this call to action (CTA) provides direct information on the imperative to address racial injustice, and strategies Pima County organizations can implement to address racial inequities. Organizations (inclusive of their clients, community members, staff and leadership) are best suited to determine their own best plan, and stakeholders must work collaboratively, and as equal partners. Many organizations may have already started racial justice work, but may feel that their efforts are being stalled, or that efforts have been ineffective.

    Virtual Introduction to Striving Toward Racial Justice – November 30, 11am-12pm

    Join TPCH and the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women for a 60-minute virtual overview of Striving Toward Racial Justice, suggested actions, and strategies community organizations can take to advance racial justice action and results.

    Register for the 60-minute CTA introduction here.

    Suggested Actions

    The CTA provides foundational information and strategies for local organizations to engage in 7 critical actions to advance racial justice:

    Action 1 – Organization Leadership Publicly Commits to Racial Justice

    Action 2 – Collective Racial Justice Work within the Organization

    Action 3 – Individual Racial Justice Work

    Action 4 – Determine Desired Outcomes

    Action 5 – Build Racial Justice and/or Minimize Harm

    Action 6 – Commit to Accountability

    Action 7 – Embrace the Journey, Continue the Work

    The suggested actions in Striving Toward Racial Justice may help reignite teams or provide a framework for this work. Examining and collecting data on racial disparities that may exist internally among staff and externally among client groups is a critical component of the process. However, organizations must resist becoming entrenched in the data collection and examination process. With the mass amounts of data organizations often collect, every analysis will likely lead to additional data-related questions that could delay tangible action and work.

    Building on Local Efforts and Expertise

    Communities in Pima county have been very fortunate to have had numerous opportunities to participate in comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion training from national technical assistance (TA) providers. Additionally, there are numerous toolkits and other resources readily available online (many of which are recommended in the CTA). This CTA comes from within our community and is developed by people who understand our region, and all of its intricacies. These suggested strategies have been produced by people who have worked within, been clients of, and care deeply about Tucson as their home.

    It is with much gratitude that we thank this powerful group of leaders for investing their time, expertise and spirit into this CTA, and the forthcoming leaders who will use this CTA to dismantle and rebuild more equitable organizations.

    Special thanks to the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women for its leadership in the creation of the CTA and to the CTA authors:

    Casey Chimneystar Limón-Condit

    Marisol Flores-Aguirre

    Anna Harper-Guerrero

    Mildred Manuel

    Andrés Portela III

    Claudia Powell

    Claudio Rodriguez

  • City of Tucson & Pima County Seek Community Input on Use of HOME-ARP Funds in Tucson/Pima County

    City of Tucson & Pima County Seek Community Input on Use of HOME-ARP Funds in Tucson/Pima County

    Join the City of Tucson and Pima County for HOME-ARP Community Input Session

    The City of Tucson and Pima County are seeking community input to discuss priority uses of $12,770,187 in HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program – American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds. HOME-ARP funds are restricted to supporting housing, shelter and services for individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, fleeing or attempting to flee domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking, or are extremely low-income and severely housing cost-burdened.

    The City of Tucson Housing Housing and Community Development Department and Pima County Community and Workforce Development Department will host two community input forums for TPCH members and other community stakeholders.

    Homeless and domestic abuse service providers, veterans’ groups, other public agencies that address the needs of housing insecure individuals and families, and organizations that address fair housing, civil rights, and the needs of persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend one of the sessions. Pre-registration is required and the sessions will be recorded.

    Each session is limited to 60 attendees.  To allow for maximum community participation, community members may only attend one session. 

    Community Input Session #1 – November 1, 2pm-3pm
    Click here to register now. 

    Community Input Session #2 – November 3, 10am-11am
    Click here to register now. 

  • TPCH Welcomes Karen Fogas to Continuum of Care Leadership Team

    TPCH Welcomes Karen Fogas to Continuum of Care Leadership Team

    Join TPCH and the City of Tucson in Welcoming Karen Fogas to the TPCH Continuum of Care Lead Agency Team

    The TPCH Continuum of Care Board and City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department are excited to announce the hire of Karen Fogas to fill the role of Continuum of Care Project Supervisor.  In her new role, Karen will lead the City of Tucson’s Continuum of Care Lead Agency team responsible for administering the Continuum of Care in partnership with the TPCH Continuum of Care Board.  Karen’s first day with the City of Tucson will be November 1, 2021.

    Get to Know Karen

    Increasing affordable housing, helping children who live in poverty and preserving the environment for future generations are career passions for Karen Fogas.  Over the course of her career, Karen has developed housing for people with disabilities for Volunteers of America, Housing Services and affordable housing for elderly through the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society.

    As Chief Program Officer for Volunteers of America, Dakotas, she oversaw Headstart programs, drop-in and adjudication programs, transitional living programs for teens exiting Department of Corrections and foster care, and work programs for people with disabilities.

    As a Chief Executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of the Sioux Empire, Karen developed and oversaw high quality childcare, Headstart and drop in programs for 1,200 children daily.

    As the Executive Director for the Tucson Audubon Society, she oversaw efforts to restore, protect and preserve habitat for Southern Arizona’s rich bird species.

    Most recently, as the Chief Operations Officer at Compass Affordable Housing, Karen helped to oversee the organization’s Continuum of Care Programs programs and Eviction Prevention efforts.