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HOUSING RESOURCES

 VIRTUAL HOMESHARE MATCHING SERVICES

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In an effort to find a good homemate, THS promotes home sharing as a DIY-type of process that requires personal introspection and reflection over time. THS is not in the “matching business” per se, but recognizes the need to make prospective homesharers aware of several online resources which provide Homeshare Matching Services. Some may charge a monthly fee and/or may deal only with housing for travel nurses etc. It’s up to YOU to zoom in to the details of these companies in order to determine which one might work best for you: 

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Silver Nest (www.silvernest.com), Craig’s List (www.craigslist.com), Next Door (local) (www.nextdoor.com), Nurse Finders (www.nursefinders.com), Roommates (www.roommates.com), and Senior Homeshares (www.seniorhomesharing.org)

RESOURCES AND RESEARCH LEADING TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOUSING ISSUES, OPTIONS AND SOLUTIONS IN TUCSON, ARIZONA IN 2023

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Research compiled for Tucson Home Sharing by Anne Stelmach, Arizona State University School of Social Work Intern August 2023 - December 2023

Part I

RESOURCE DIRECTORY FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION

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Primavera Foundation Homeless Intervention and Prevention Drop-In Center

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am-12:30pm

In-person assessment; must go through the Intake Process; offers safe, affordable housing; employment

https://www.primavera.org/

702 S. 6th Ave. 

520 623 4300, 520 623 5111

 

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

https://unitedwaytucson.org/

click on Find Resources; then click on Local Agency Contact List

520 903 9000 This is a referral service only.

 

Catholic Charities/ St Vincent de Paul of Southern Arizona 

https://svdptucson.org/

829 S. 6th Ave

520 628 7837 This is the referring office. Give your cross streets to be referred to a parish in your “zone” on the Tucson city map. Then, you will be given a phone number to call for immediate financial assistance.

 

Tucson and Pima County Eviction Prevention/ Rental Assistance and Utility Relief Program

Provides help with past due rent and utilities; must qualify with income 

8am-5pm; 520 724 2505; https://tucsonpimaep.com

 

Tucson Eviction Help 

Emergency Eviction Legal Services (EELS) for those who qualify by income

8am-5pm; 520 724 7334

https://tucsonevictionhelp.org

dial 2-1-1 Arizona for Information and Referral  

You can speak with a live agent, but you may be on hold for a half hour.

https://211arizona.org/

 

Pima Council on Aging (PCOA)

Click on Ways We Can Help, then click on Housing, 

finally click on Emergency Housing / Homeless Prevention

Helpline: 520 790 7262; https://pcoa.org

 

Administration of Resources and Choices

Click on Housing Programs, then click on Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)

Helps with mortgage delinquencies, past due utilities and homeowners insurance

Must qualify with income

9am-4:30pm; 520 623 9383; https://arc-az.org

 

Interfaith Community Services

Helps with Emergency Financial Assistance for housing, utilities, medications and other living necessities

Call at 9am M-F during the first two weeks of each month

520 297 6049; https://icstucson.org

Part II

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS: ADUs

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What is an accessory dwelling unit? It is called an ADU and is “a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot.”

On this nationwide website, Building an ADU, several main types of ADUs are listed:

  • detached new construction ADUs such as a guest house or casita

  • garage conversion ADUs

  • ADUs above a garage or workshop

  • addition ADUs or “bump-out ADUs”

  • basement conversion ADUs

  • internal ADUs, where part of the primary house other than the basement is converted to an ADU

A vast number of informal ADUs exist compared to ADUs that were built with permits.

Perhaps, there are more than 14 million informal ADUs in the United States. 

https://www.buildinganadu.com/

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On the City of Tucson website, the FAQs section states about ADUs:

  • one unit is allowed per residential lot 

  • could have a full kitchen

  • must have a permit to build a guest house (see local zoning and building codes)

  • the maximum size would be 750 square feet on lots under 7,000 square feet and 1,000 square feet for lots over 7,000 square feet

  • must be built on a permanent foundation

  • must have a cool roof (this reflects more sunlight and is more energy efficient)

  • one parking space per ADU

  • adds value to a property

  • check HOAs regulations

Unpermitted ADUs or informal ADUs without the correct permits are considered illegal apartments.

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Use the permit application form and worksheet that is on the website. A dwelling permit fee is about $4 per square foot. Information about impact fee and placement on property is available from https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Fees?transfer=8b43fe2c-1b92-4d1b-92d0-19637a6a4cdd 

For questions, email Zone1.Desk@tucsonaz.gov

Visit the website for current regulations and these newly adopted ADU proposals as of October 19, 2021. The Mayor and Council adopted this amendment to the city’s Unified Development code to allow ADUs, or casitas.

Check the website for an amnesty program for unpermitted ADUs that includes a waiver of the penalty fee which is only available to property owners living on the property. A compliance permit allows a permit based on an inspection without requiring a full plan set.

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The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development department created a pilot program for low-income homeowners who have an ADU on the property that needs improvement to provide financial and technical assistance.

https://www.tucsonaz.gov

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What is the cost to build an ADU?

Todd DePasquale, the owner of Tucson Contracting LLC., stated that the cost will be between $200 to $250 per square foot.

Reporter: Greg Bradbury https://www.kgun9.com/

Part III

TINY HOMES

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Some facts about tiny homes are:

  • The average size of tiny homes is 225 square feet, which is eight times smaller than the average home. 

  • Tiny homes currently account for 0.36% of the total residential listings in the U.S., and there are about 10,000 tiny homes in the country.

  • The average price of a tiny home is $52,000, which is 87% cheaper than the average price of a normal-sized house.

  • Finding a place to park your tiny house can be an issue, as some areas have zoning and building codes that restrict tiny homes.

  • Tiny houses are not as mobile as you think, as they require special trailers, permits, and vehicles to move them.

 

https://www.bing.com/search?q=facts%20about%20tiny%20homes&FORM=ARPSEC&PC=ARPL&PTAG=30122

 

The City of Tucson proposal for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) does not include Tiny Homes on wheels. Those are considered vehicles. 

 

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Planning-Initiatives/Accessory-Dwelling-Units-FAQ#Owner-occupancy%20/%20mini-dorms%20/%20short-term%20rentals

 

10 Things No One Ever Tells You About Tiny Homes

  • You must consider security.

    • Use wheel locks on at minimum one wheel and a heavy-duty chain to secure your vehicle to a tree or other support. Burglars can hitch an empty house to a truck and drive off with all the belongings inside.

  • Property and zoning laws are not the same.

    • Contact the American Tiny House Association for the most recent zoning data and building codes. You can place a message through their website.

  • You may not be able to get insurance.

    • There are multiple factors involved in receiving a quote. In Tucson, you may be able to get insurance as a manufactured home policy.

  • Household smells and noises happen more frequently.

    • Lingering smells like burnt toast can remain in curtains and clothes for days. 

  • Privacy is an issue.

    • There is not much room in this style of a home if you share it with someone else and less room to host visitors.

  • Heavy storms could be dangerous.

    • Little houses are especially vulnerable.

  • Maintenance could be time-consuming and expensive. 

    • These may be inexpensive to create but costly to maintain. You may need specialized equipment and furniture which could cost extra to fix and maintain.

  • It could be messy!

    • A tiny home is prone to clutter. Use storage bins to maintain orderliness in such a small space.

  • The Internet may not be in remote places.

    • Most rural communities do provide Internet services.

  • You now have limited resources if living off the grid.

    • When your tiny home is off-grid, you’re living a sustainable life; yet, you may need to ration things such as electricity, water and fuel.

  • A tiny home costs more to build per square foot.

  • This compact home may be more difficult to construct in some respects than a regular-sized home.

https://www.supertinyhomes.com/hidden-facts-about-tiny-homes/

 

Where to purchase insurance for Tiny Homes in Tucson, Arizona:

  • Farmers Insurance. Please call (520) 722-9556 and speak to Rachel.

  • State Farm Insurance. Please call (520) 885-2321 and speak to Cynthia.

  • Blake Insurance Group LLC. Please call (520) 402-6002.

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The above research (Parts 1-III) was compiled at the request of Tucson Home Sharing in order to refer those with home sharing inquiries to appropriate community resources at the time of initial contact with THS.  

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