Smoke Free Housing: A Toolkit for Owners/Management Agents of Federally Assisted Public and Multi-Family Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

This document is for property owners, landlords, and property managers who are interested in exploring a smoke-free policy for their multi-unit buildings. this policy can help you save  money, reduce tenant complaints, improve the health of your tenants and building, and increase your market share.

The Shrinking Supply of Affordable Housing,  February 2012, National Low Income Housing Coalition

In 2010 there were 9.8 million extrememly low income renter households in the Unites States and only 3 million rental homes affordable and available to these households. This shortage pf 6.8 million rental units means that only 30 rental homes are affordable and available for every 100 extrememly low income renters. In Arizona, the numbers are even worse with only 20 rental homes affordable and available for every 100 extremely low income renters.

Out of Reach 2011, May 2011, National Low Income Housing Coalition

Despite the emphasis on homeownership and the marginalization of renters, renter households still make up fully one-third of the households in the United States — almost 38 million households. Out of Reach is a side-by-side comparison of wages and rents in every county, Metropolitan Area (MSAs/HMFAs), combined nonmetropolitan area and state in the United States. From these calculations the hourly wage a worker must earn to afford the FMR for a two-bedroom home is derived. This figure is the Housing Wage. 

Briefing Report 1: Affordable/Workforce Housing Recommendations and Barriers in Arizona and Metro Phoenix, from 2001 – 2007, August 2008, LISC Phoenix

Briefing Report #1 is a compendium of affordable/workforce housing recommendations, illumination of the barriers to development of affordable/workforce housing and illustration of the best practices of some of the leading policy, program and development recommendations – employer-assisted housing programs, housing trust funds and development tools. 

Briefing Report 2: Recommendations on Local and Regional Trust Funds, April 2008, LISC Phoenix

In 1997, Pima County established a Housing Trust Fund to assist the County’s low-income residents purchase and improve housing.  While there exists a framework for the County’s trust fund, no dedicated source of revenue was established.  Building on the recommendations and best practices identified in Briefing Report #1, Briefing Report #2 seeks to determine the revenue potential vis-à-vis the public burden/opposition for the Housing Trust Fund and the extent to which funding sources could be subject to legal challenges by citizens or government entities. 

Briefing Report 3: Case Studies for Transit Oriented Development, March 2009, LISC Phoenix

A short summary of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) tools that are used by communities all across the country. Ten tools have been selected by the Center for Transit Oriented Development and Reconnecting America to represent the best and most relevant ideas for the Phoenix metropolitan areas in promoting TOD.

Homelessness in Arizona: Efforts to Prevent and Alleviate Homelessness, 2010 Annual Report, December 2010, Arizona Department of Economic Security.

This year's report includes information on local and national research on homelessness and housing and is an important resource for all stakeholders striving to prevent and end homelessness in Arizona.

Housing Arizona, November 2008, 93rd Arizona Town Hall.

Particpants of the 93rd Arizona Town Hall traveled from throughout the state to decide how best to meet Arizona's housing needs by considering the larger economic, social. political and hsitorical contex.

Arizona Incentives for Affordable Housing Task Force Report, July 2006.

The Task Force, consisting of profesional from the private, public and non-profit sectos, including housing industry and economic development representatives, recommend mechanisms to provide greater housing opportunity throughout Arizona.

Arizona's Housing Market...a glance. September 2009, Arizona Department of Housing.

Analysis of home prices, rents, wages, population, and employment across Arizona.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University releases the State of the Nation's Housing 2012.

Since 1988, this annual report assesses the state of housing in the U.S and reviews affordability concerns, explains how housing continues to affect the economy, and cits factors that could drive growth in the future.

Check out the Center for Housing Policy Fact Sheets.

Foreclosure Prevention

Comprehensive Housing Strategy

Reconstructing the Ladder to Sustainable Homeownership

Combined Costs of Housing, Transportation and Utilities

Rental Housing Preservation

Shared Equity Homeownership

Foreclosure Prevention Corner 

As the number of foreclosures has increased, so has the number of foreclosure-related scams targeting consumers. Avoid counselors who charge an up-front fee and check the counselor's credentials. To locate a reputable housing counselor call:

AZ Foreclosure Hotline:

877-448-1211

To find out how to protect yourself from scams click here.

Your Way Home AZ is the one-stop location for purchasing foreclosed homes through the state, county and local governments. Funding is available to qualified buyers who are interested in purchasing foreclosed homes in select areas throughout the state. Visit YourWayHomeAZ.com.

Check out a copy of the Arizona Foreclosure Workbook, a tool to educate homeowners about the foreclosure process.

National Housing Organizations 

National Low Income Housing Coalition

The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. 

National Housing Conference and the Center for Housing Policy

As affiliates, the National Housing Conference and its research arm, the Center for Housing Policy work together to help ensure safe, decent and affordable homes for all.

National Housing Trust

The National Housing Trust is the only national nonprofit engaged in housing preservation.

Center for Neighborhood Technology

Center for Neighborhood Technology has been a leader in promoting urban sustainability.