Primavera Foundation staff and representatives from several Tucson and Pima County organizations held a convening earlier this month to discuss opportunities in affordable housing and homeownership.
Opportunities included advocating for state-funded Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified housing counselors, expanding homebuyer education efforts, and building a bridge between affordable housing and homeownership.
Primavera Foundation Director of Homeownership Celia Mendivil emphasized the need for providing support and preparation to Tucson homebuyers.
“When is the best time for someone to buy a house?” Mendivil asked. “Whenever they’re ready.”
Family Housing Resources Executive Director Meghan Heddings said one key piece of information that is needed is long-term data and analysis regarding local efforts to improve homebuyer education.
She added that HUD data has shown foreclosure rates to be “significantly lower” when the buyer has had access to financial education materials before purchasing.
Family Housing Resources has partnered with Southern Arizona Land Trust to build small, affordable developments as one way to increase options, Heddings said.
Education is a key piece to increasing options for community members, said Maggie Amado-Tellez, Director of Pima County Community Land Trust.
“You do not start that journey to homeownership when you see that ‘For Sale’ sign on a house,” she said. “You start by educating yourself first.”