Draft plans for review and input

Community members are invited to review the 5-year Plan for 2025-2029, Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan for FY 2024-2025 and City of Tempe Housing Authority Administrative Plan Updates for FY 2025-2026. Read the draft plans.

The City of Tempe Housing Authority has developed its 5-Year Plan for 2025-2029 and Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. These proposed plans and its supporting documents are available for review on the City’s web site located at tempe.gov/government/human-services/housing-services/public-notices-and-plans. A copy of the these plans and supporting documents can be requested and will be mailed to an address provided by written request to the e-mail or mailing address below.

The City of Tempe Housing Authority has also updated the Administrative Plan incorporating both mandatory and discretionary policy changes. The proposed plan and supporting documents are available for review on the city’s web site located at tempe.gov/government/human-services/housing-services/public- notices-and-plans. A copy of the plan and supporting documents can be requested and will be mailed to an address provided by written request to the e-mail or mailing address below.

Provide input

The Tempe Housing Governing Board is scheduled to approve these plans on Thursday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers located at 31 E. Fifth St. Housing Governing Board meetings are accessible in real time for virtual viewing and public comment – visit tempe.gov/clerk for information. You may also view the live meeting proceedings on Cox Cable Channel 11 or live streamed at tempe.gov/tempe11.

Written comments may be submitted to:

City of Tempe Housing Services Division, P.O. Box 5002, Tempe, AZ 85280 or via e-mail to carmen_jack@tempe.gov. All written comments received prior to April 10 will be forwarded to City of Tempe Housing Authority Governing Board.

The Housing Choice Voucher program waitlist is now closed. 

We have completed the random lottery in the housing software. If your status has been changed to "inactive" this means your application was not selected for the 2023 waiting list. You will receive an official notice on or before April 21, 2023.

The City Tempe Public Housing Authority will randomly select 3,000 pre-applications from all those received. Selected applicants will then be placed onto the City of Tempe’s HCV Waitlist. Pre-applicants not selected will have to reapply for assistance at another time.

All households who submit a pre-application will be notified regarding the outcome of the lottery. If you have provided an e-mail address, you will be notified by e-mail. If an e-mail address is not provided, you will be notified by mail.

Once placed on the City of Tempe Housing Authority waitlist, applicants must notify the Housing Authority of any and all contact information changes. Finally, while on the waitlist, applicants must respond to all correspondence received from the Housing Authority or you will be removed from the waiting list

The City of Tempe Housing Authority's waitlist was open Feb. 28-March 13. 

FAQs

Find the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist FAQ here. (PDF)

Find general details about the HCV program here. (PDF)

If you need assistance

For general questions, call 480-350-8950 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Please be patient. All applicants will be notified of their lottery result by April 15.

Preferences

Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available, Tempe gives preferences to a family who is (1) living, working, hired to work or homeless in Tempe, (2) assistance is ending under City of Tempe's special housing programs, or (3) Elderly and/or Disabled Families as defined by HUD. Read about preferences here. (PDF)

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) - also known as Section 8 - offers rent subsidies for those in need. Vouchers assist low-income families in renting apartments or homes on the private market. Utilizing the voucher, a person pays approximately 30 – 40% of income toward rent and utilities.

Please be aware of the following status updates that will be displayed on our portal:

• Submitted – This will appear in the portal from the time you entered your pre-application until this information is uploaded into our software (usually one day).
• Inactive – This will appear from the time your pre-application is loaded into our system until the next day.
• Active – This will appear the day after we have loaded your application into our system.

Unfortunately, the city cannot provide a timeframe as to when an applicant's name will be pulled from the waiting list to verify eligibility, nor can we provide a position number on the waiting list.

Please be aware that all correspondence will be via e-mail, so please be sure to monitor your e-mail.

To update any information that was submitted, please send an e-mail to housing@tempe.gov.  Please be sure to let us know the name of the head of household, should you need to make any changes. 

For questions: Email housing@tempe.gov.

Next steps: Gather documentation

Please make sure that you have birth certificates and social security cards for all family members, in advance of staff pulling your application and requesting documentation.

Due to the sensitive nature of these documents, please do not send these documents at this time.  Please wait until you receive a secure e-mail request from us.  This will not happen until your name is pulled from our waiting list.

Emergency rent and mortgage resources

City of Tempe

The City of Tempe closed its application process for emergency rent and mortgage funds at noon on Friday, Dec. 18, after receiving nearly 800 applications.

All current applications continue to be processed; applicants who meet all eligibility requirements will be notified by the city.   

Currently, no other funds are available through the City of Tempe for rent and mortgage assistance.

Tempe Community Action Agency

Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) has emergency rent, mortgage and utility assistance for households impacted by COVID-19. In addition, TCAA has emergency relief for rent, mortgage, and utility payments for households experiencing a financial crisis that is unrelated to COVID-19. Visit the website  or call the hotline at 480-389-1375 for details.

Arizona Department of Housing

The Arizona Department of Housing is offering emergency rent assistance to income-qualified households.  Homeowners can also find mortgage help here. 

Other resources

Community organizations such as The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul may have funds for rent assistance.

211 Arizona

Find statewide information about available rent and mortgage assistance, and other resources here. Dial 211 to speak to a representative.

Residential eviction moratoriums

Federal

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a moratorium on residential evictions through Dec. 31.  Tenants must meet the following: 

• Your income is less than $99,000 ($198,000 if a joint tax return), you did not have to pay income tax in 2019 or you received a stimulus check
• You can’t pay rent due to lost income or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses
• You would become homeless or need to live in cramped, unsafe living conditions
• You will attempt to make partial payments
• You have applied for rental assistance

If you think you qualify, sign a declaration form and provide it to your landlord, property owner, and other entity who may have a right to evict. Learn more from the Maricopa County Justice Courts. The federal eviction order remains in effect until Dec. 31.

How to avoid evictions

Take these steps now to avoid evictions: notify your landlord, gather up records showing job loss or medical issues, and apply for rent assistance. Renters should take these steps  as soon as possible. Learn more.

The City of Tempe provides a wide range of affordable and workforce housing options to its residents through federal housing programs and community partnerships. Learn more here.

**All changes  in income and family size must be reported within 10 days from the effective date of change. Forms are available in the Housing Services office.**

The City of Tempe has one trained Housing Navigator who make referrals to available properties, connect individuals and families directly to housing, and work with landlords to resolve issues that may arise.

Our Navigator also assists residents with accessing city and community resources to add more stability to their lives.

Landlords are invited to connect with our Navigator to learn more about participating with the city's housing programs. 

Call 480-858-2315 or connect with Housing Navigator Christopher Groesbeck at christopher_groesbeck@tempe.gov. 

The Affordable Housing Strategy (AHS) is designed to guide future decision-making on the production and preservation of affordable housing in Tempe. The AHS helps establish the city’s goals and objectives for improving the availability of quality housing for residents of different income levels, and lays out strategies to achieve housing affordability. Learn more here.

The City Council is prioritizing three of the most aggressive strategies to expand housing options.

This work aligns with the city's commitment to housing attainability. Read more about City Council priorities here.

The waitlist has closed for the City of Tempe's Emergency Home Repair Program for eligible low-income homeowners to eliminate immediate threats to their health and safety. 

Tempe residents who have previously applied will remain on the waitlist. Currently, the city is giving preference to applicants in need of air conditioning and heating repairs. 

Residents not on the city waitlist may apply for home repair assistance through Maricopa County's Home Improvement program. 

Please note that the Housing Services Division does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, sex, disability or age. Programs and services offered are subject to the availability of funding.

Visit the Renting in Tempe page to learn more about the rules for rentals in Tempe, including the rental code which landlords must abide by and other resources:

• Landlord/Tenant dispute hotline 602-256-3517
• Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
• Rental Housing Brochure

The City of Tempe is committed to making homelessness a rare, brief and one-time experience in the community. That means: homelessness does not happen often; people who become homeless are connected to shelter and housing as soon as possible; and people who are housed do not return to homelessness.

The city's HOPE team (Homeless Outreach Prevention Effort) plays a vital role in engaging people who are experiencing homelessness and connecting them with housing and social services. HOPE uses best national practices and team members’ expertise is sought out by regional partners.

Successful outcomes rely on the work of many city departments, including Human Services, Tempe Police, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, Tempe Municipal Court, Municipal Utilities, the City Attorney’s Office and Community Services.

Tempe is making steady progress toward housing people experiencing homelessness and successfully keeping them housed. Learn more here.

The Tempe Housing Department provides information on laws and policies that ensure all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice. Learn more here.

The Tempe Housing Department ensures that all public notices, policies and plans are available to the public. Learn more here. 

Housing Services Supervisory Staff

Irma Hollamby Cain, Deputy Human Services Director - Housing: 480-858-2264 irma_hollambycain@tempe.gov

Sheri Rico, Housing Services Manager: 480-350-8956 sheri_rico@tempe.gov

Carmen Jack, Housing Services Supervisor: 480-350-8954 carmen_jack@tempe.gov

Christopher Groesbeck, Management Assistant II, 480-350-2315

Find housing specialists and addition staff here.