Tempe Housing Authority reports steady voucher leasing, $18M in assistance; approves minutes
January 23, 2026 | Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Irma Holland McCain, Deputy Human Services Director for Housing, told the Tempe Housing Authority governing board that the authority administered over $14,000,000 in housing assistance last year and is on track to administer more than $18,000,000 this year, with the capacity to assist roughly 1,243 households.
McCain presented quarterly HUD-vetted performance figures and said 1,047 vouchers were leased up in Tempe during the reporting cycle and the program’s attrition (voucher turnover) rate averaged 6.92% — notably lower than comparable statewide averages. “During this reporting cycle, we have 1,047 vouchers leased up in our community,” McCain said. She added that Tempe is using 100% of its budget authority, with an average per-unit cost reported at $1,503.7.
The presentation emphasized short-term federal funding timing: McCain said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had obligated funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program through January and warned that continued payments could depend on a congressional continuing resolution or passage of a new budget. “It’s highly likely that it would be through a continuing resolution,” she said, adding that funding under a continuing resolution is expected to be somewhat higher than last year.
McCain also described local program outcomes: the Family Self‑Sufficiency program served 73 participants in 2025, with seven families graduating after meeting program goals. Participants received $109,773 in escrow disbursements, and one graduate achieved homeownership. “One of our graduates actually achieved homeownership,” McCain said.
On staffing and program expansion, McCain introduced Brandon Bruce as a new neighborhood revitalization coordinator and said outreach has contacted 19 households for targeted home-repair programming. She said a larger home rehabilitation loan program is planned to roll out at the end of the month or the following month and will target about 49 households currently on the wait list.
Board members praised the department’s work. Board Member Hatch commended staff for retention and program quality, saying the programs give residents opportunities to “step up.” Board Member Garland raised questions about maintaining federal funding levels and whether any funds could be at risk; Vice Mayor Garlet and staff acknowledged the concern and said they would follow up with more detail.
On procedural business, Board Member Amberg moved and Board Member Hodge seconded approval of the City of Tempe Housing Authority meeting minutes for Nov. 13, 2025. The board approved the minutes 7-0, with Board Member Keating recorded as absent. The housing authority item was an informational update only and required no board action.
The board adjourned and noted its next scheduled Tempe Housing Authority meeting is set for April 6, 2026.
McCain presented quarterly HUD-vetted performance figures and said 1,047 vouchers were leased up in Tempe during the reporting cycle and the program’s attrition (voucher turnover) rate averaged 6.92% — notably lower than comparable statewide averages. “During this reporting cycle, we have 1,047 vouchers leased up in our community,” McCain said. She added that Tempe is using 100% of its budget authority, with an average per-unit cost reported at $1,503.7.
The presentation emphasized short-term federal funding timing: McCain said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had obligated funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program through January and warned that continued payments could depend on a congressional continuing resolution or passage of a new budget. “It’s highly likely that it would be through a continuing resolution,” she said, adding that funding under a continuing resolution is expected to be somewhat higher than last year.
McCain also described local program outcomes: the Family Self‑Sufficiency program served 73 participants in 2025, with seven families graduating after meeting program goals. Participants received $109,773 in escrow disbursements, and one graduate achieved homeownership. “One of our graduates actually achieved homeownership,” McCain said.
On staffing and program expansion, McCain introduced Brandon Bruce as a new neighborhood revitalization coordinator and said outreach has contacted 19 households for targeted home-repair programming. She said a larger home rehabilitation loan program is planned to roll out at the end of the month or the following month and will target about 49 households currently on the wait list.
Board members praised the department’s work. Board Member Hatch commended staff for retention and program quality, saying the programs give residents opportunities to “step up.” Board Member Garland raised questions about maintaining federal funding levels and whether any funds could be at risk; Vice Mayor Garlet and staff acknowledged the concern and said they would follow up with more detail.
On procedural business, Board Member Amberg moved and Board Member Hodge seconded approval of the City of Tempe Housing Authority meeting minutes for Nov. 13, 2025. The board approved the minutes 7-0, with Board Member Keating recorded as absent. The housing authority item was an informational update only and required no board action.
The board adjourned and noted its next scheduled Tempe Housing Authority meeting is set for April 6, 2026.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
