The 2019 Arizona Housing Forum, with over 450 attendees from across the state, was held August 19-21 at The Scott in Scottsdale.

Early arrivers enjoyed the opportunity to network at an evening reception on Monday and the Forum officially kicked off Tuesday morning with a welcome video from Governor Doug Ducey and a presentation by Director Carol Ditmore. Jimmy Wayne, an inspiring speaker, best-selling author & award-winning country music recording artist was the Keynote speaker.

The last day of the Forum featured a presentation on enhancing productivity and employee enthusiasm by speaker Tim Gard, and the 2019 Housing Heroes Awards Luncheon where the Department honored this year’s award recipients.

In between these featured events, Forum participants were able to choose between 15 different breakout sessions held over a day-and-a-half on a myriad of housing, community development, and general interest topics, and attendees had the opportunity to visit with exhibitors in the Marketplace who offered information relevant to the affordable housing and community development industry.

The Department also held a public meeting on the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, as well as a Focus Group for the 2020 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP).

The Housing Forum is made possible by our fantastic group of sponsors and exhibitors. On behalf of all of us at Arizona Department of Housing, we would like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors and Marketplace exhibitors.

We are already looking forward to the 2020 Arizona Housing Forum which will be held at the JW Marriott Starr Pass on August 24-26 in Tucson, Arizona. Mark your calendars to join Arizona’s most devoted housing and community development advocates at next year’s event.

The Arizona Department of Housing announced the recipients of the 2019 Brian Mickelson Housing Hero Awards, recognizing outstanding service by individuals and organizations for their commitment to numerous housing issues throughout the state. Nominees are selected in eight different categories based on their efforts to support affordable housing for moderate and low-income Arizona families, and a new category this year recognized an Outstanding State Administered Community Development Block Grant Project. The awards are named in honor of the outstanding public service exemplified by the late Brian Mickelsen, an original member of the Arizona Housing Finance Authority and former city manager for the Town of Cottonwood.

The Outstanding Affordable Housing Initiative Award was presented to South Phoenix Village Infill Redevelopment. A public/private partnership with FSL Real Estate Services and the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department, the project consists of over 120 energy-efficient, affordable, single-family, three-to-five bedroom infill homes that come with homebuyer assistance. The project aims to provide quality, affordable housing to promote homeownership; improve overall market conditions; and, create a positive and healthy community.

First Place AZ was recognized with the Innovative Supportive Housing Program or Service Award for its pioneering approach to residential models to ensure that housing options are as bountiful for people with autism and other neuro-diversities as they are for everyone else. First Place – Phoenix is comprised of First Place Apartments, First Place Transition Academy and the First Place Global Leadership Institute. First Place Apartments consists of 55 units for approximately 80 residents, with all the benefits of community-connected, independent living.

This year’s Exemplary Rural Multifamily Project Award recognized Las Brisas Sunset Apartments for serving chronically homeless seniors in San Luis and for its green building technology. The 60 affordable rental units for persons ages 55 plus are constructed as patio townhomes with each building having solar power and a twelve unit set-aside for chronically homeless seniors. The Las Brisas team, along with other public and private resources, works to identify chronically homeless seniors in need of housing and provides access to services that promote independent living and positive life choices.

The Marist at Cathedral Square was this year’s Exemplary Urban Multifamily Project Award recipient. Developed by the Foundation for Senior Living, The Marist at Cathedral Square is recognized for its direct positive impact on low-income seniors in the Tucson area and the historic preservation of a building. The project is composed of two distinct buildings with 83 units for seniors 62 years of age and up. The first site is a newly renovated historic school that is over 100 years old – and the only existing three story-historic structure in Arizona made of mud adobe - the second site is a new seven-story building.

The Tribal Initiatives Award was presented to TOKA HOMES III, Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association. TOKA has succeeded in providing the lowest-income residents at the Tohono O’odham Reservation with 38 new construction, culturally significant and energy efficient, single-family homes. Through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, TOKA leveraged the funds that it could contribute, more than $1 million dollars, into $8.7 million more in equity, resulting in more units constructed at a higher level of quality and efficiency.

A new award category this year was the Outstanding State Administered Community Development Block Grant Project Award. The award was presented to the Town of Prescott Valley Boys & Girls Club for its outstanding effort in the ten thousand foot expansion of the existing Club, more than doubling its size. The expansion offers new space for recreational and educational opportunities, including after school programming which provides an affordable child care option for low-income parents. The community also benefits by having additional indoor recreational space that can be used at all times of the year.

Gila County Board of Supervisors members Ms. Tommie Martin, Mr. Tim Humphrey and Mr. Woody Cline were the recipients of this year’s Elected Official Award. The Gila County Board of Supervisors were recognized for being the first entity in the State solely made up of elected officials to take the lead in creating a Local Coalition to End Homelessness. Through the newly-established coalition to end homelessness, the group will be responsible for coordinating local resources, homeless services and point in time counts at the local community level.

Michael McQuaid, President of JM Management Company, Inc was recognized as this year’s Arthur Crozier Partner in Housing Award recipient. Mr. McQuaid was honored for a lifetime of success and commitment to service, through his work on behalf of the poor and the homeless in the downtown Phoenix area, to include the Human Services Campus where he has provided leadership since its inception in 2005. He coordinated two years of construction of the 12-acre multi-agency site, was the Managing Director for the first five years of operation, and serves on the organization’s board of directors. Mr. McQuaid continues to be involved in the management and development efforts at the Campus which provides food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, employment aid and housing assistance to over 1,000 persons experiencing homelessness each day.

Housing Matters | Fall 2019