Flagstaff’s housing problem is acute, and I know it can sometimes feel like not enough is being done to address it. I wish we had double the resources to tackle this problem, but we’re making progress – due, in large part, to the partnerships the city has with our non-profit housing partners combined with some smart investments of our resources. Yet, there’s still much work to do. First, I’ll speak to the housing programs led by the city’s housing section and some of the work of our non-profit … [Read more...] about Making Progress in Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing
Historic Move for Affordable Housing
Nostalgia for days gone by mixed with gratitude for historic preservation and affordable housing solutions filled the warm summer air as members of three Flagstaff families came together unexpectedly to watch the century-old home that had been an important part of their lives move to another neighborhood downtown. Homeowner Helene Babbitt, who, with her husband, the late Jim Babbitt, bought the house at 12 N. Hillside in 1995, donated the home to Townsite CLT. The local non-profit … [Read more...] about Historic Move for Affordable Housing
Mixed-Use Elkwood Development to Include Apartments, Retail Shops, Affordable Housing
Wexford Developments (WD) and Wexford Real Estate Investors (WREI) are building Elkwood, Flagstaff’s next mixed-use, multi-family project, designed to bring 224 rental apartment units to Flagstaff. In a groundbreaking ceremony on March 28, builders and local leaders spoke about the need for housing. “We are extremely thrilled that construction is now underway on what is a highly anticipated and much needed new multi-family project for the city of Flagstaff,” said Sam Gordon, co-founder and … [Read more...] about Mixed-Use Elkwood Development to Include Apartments, Retail Shops, Affordable Housing
Flagstaff Workers Struggle to Find a Way Home
Clover Jacobs could hardly believe the news when she and her young family had been accepted for a Habitat for Humanity home. She didn’t think she was eligible but then she heard the home would be “a hand up, not a hand out,” and that Habitat helps people get to the next stage in life. Clover shared her story at the Coconino Center for the Arts during the “Arizona Storytellers Presents: Finding Home” event on Oct. 26, a public forum addressing affordable housing challenges in … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Workers Struggle to Find a Way Home
Policing, Affordable Housing, Community College Collaboration: CCC Helping with Community Needs
Fall has arrived. The air is crisp. The leaves are changing to yellows, reds and browns, and students at Coconino Community College are deep into their studies for the semester. As interim president for the college these few months, I am quite amazed to see the passion of the faculty and staff in their dedication to help meet community needs and students’ dreams for their futures. To that end, partnerships, as I have learned, have been a cornerstone of CCC’s efforts, and I would like to spend … [Read more...] about Policing, Affordable Housing, Community College Collaboration: CCC Helping with Community Needs
Keeping Up On Vaccinations, Affordable Housing, City Services
We’ve had a lot going on this month. I am happy to report that COVID-19 vaccinations have been opened to all 1B essential workers by Coconino County. With production ramping up, I am hopeful we will see an influx of more appointments at the same time as an influx of those who can now receive it. To learn more about the phased approach and to check for appointment times, please go to the Coconino County vaccination site at coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine. Flagstaff City Council has approved … [Read more...] about Keeping Up On Vaccinations, Affordable Housing, City Services
Addressing Affordable Housing, Cost of Living
Hello, Flagstaff! Now that the holidays are over, we at City Hall are back to work and 2018 looks to be a busy year. When the current council set our goals for this term, it was obvious that affordable housing had to be at the top of the list. The cost of living here is legendarily high, and housing is the major factor in that. That said, it’s also not an easy issue to address; otherwise, it would have happened already. The cost of living and the cost of housing have been issues for … [Read more...] about Addressing Affordable Housing, Cost of Living
Addressing Minimum Wage, Affordable Housing, Water Conservation
Hello Flagstaff! I hope you all are enjoying your summer. As Council wraps up its session, I have been reflecting on what we have accomplished. Governing is often a series of conversations and compromises, and it is through working together that we all succeed, it is by working together that we make progress. When I came into office the most pressing issue in front of Council was the competing timelines between the two minimum wage initiatives passed by the voters in November. After much … [Read more...] about Addressing Minimum Wage, Affordable Housing, Water Conservation
