Community Preference Policy
The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department is exploring a Community Preference Policy (CPP) to help address the impacts of historic and ongoing displacement and housing inequities.
Following direction from Mayor and Council at its September 22, 2026 Study Session, HCD is beginning a community engagement process to learn from residents, community leaders, housing advocates, and others about Tucson's history of displacement, experiences with housing barriers, and priorities for a potential Community Preference Policy.
What is a Community Preference Policy?
Community Preference Policies are housing policies designed to help address the impacts of displacement and historic housing inequities. These policies can provide an additional preference for eligible households with ties to communities that have experienced displacement or other historic harms when applying for certain affordable housing opportunities.
Tucson's policy has not yet been developed. The City is beginning with community listening and learning, followed by opportunities for residents and community partners to help shape policy recommendations.
Community Engagement
HCD's engagement process is designed to move from understanding community experiences and Tucson's history of displacement to developing and refining policy recommendations.
Listening & Learning
The first phase of engagement will focus on listening to community members before proposing specific policy solutions. Listening sessions will provide an opportunity to share experiences related to displacement, neighborhood change, housing access, past injustices, and barriers to opportunity.
No policy decisions have been made. The City is listening first and will use what we learn to help shape future policy recommendations.
Listening Session Flyers
Help spread the word about the Community Preference Policy listening sessions. View and share the flyers below to help community members learn about the upcoming sessions and opportunities to participate.
Please Note
- Interpretation: Spanish interpretation will be available at all listening sessions. Please contact SPACE-HCD@tucsonaz.gov at least two business days before the session to request any additional interpretation.
- Accessibility: Accessibility accommodations are available for all listening sessions. Please contact SPACE-HCD@tucsonaz.gov at least two business days before the session to request an accommodation. Captions will be available for the virtual session.
- Food and children's activities will be provided at all listening sessions.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Santa Rosa Neighborhood Center, 1070 South 10th Ave
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center, 2160 North 6th Ave
Monday, November 23, 2026
Time: 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom | Register for the virtual listening session
CPP Policy Workgroup
Following the listening sessions, HCD will convene a Community Preference Policy Workgroup made up of community representatives, neighborhood representatives, public agencies, academic partners, and other community leaders.
The Workgroup will help translate what we learn through community engagement into policy recommendations and explore questions such as eligibility, preference categories, documentation, geographic boundaries, and potential unintended consequences.
More information about the CPP Policy Workgroup and opportunities to participate will be available soon.
Background & Research
HCD's initial work includes research conducted by University of Arizona CAPLA students, as well as research and analysis prepared for Mayor and Council. These materials provide background on Tucson's history of displacement and housing inequities and help establish a starting point for the community engagement process.
They are not a final Community Preference Policy. Rather, they provide research and recommendations for consideration as the City begins developing a policy with community input.
What Happens Next?
The City will use what we learn through listening sessions and continued community engagement to develop and refine potential policy recommendations.
Later phases of engagement will provide opportunities for community members to respond to proposed policy elements, including eligibility criteria, preference categories, documentation requirements, geographic boundaries, and other considerations.
HCD anticipates bringing final policy recommendations to Mayor and Council in late spring 2027.
Additional opportunities to participate will be shared as the engagement process continues.