Housing is Healthcare Fund Partnership Announces $2.5 Million in Grants for Affordable Housing Projects Across Arizona
PHOENIX (January 23, 2026) – The Housing is Healthcare Fund, established through a collaborative effort among Arizona Medicaid Health Plans, is announcing seven new grant awards to increase the availability of housing across Arizona. Projects in Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Prescott Valley and Tucson will receive a total of $2.5 million. This collective investment demonstrates the shared commitment of all participating Medicaid Health Plans to address housing needs across Arizona. Since 2020, the Medicaid Health Plans have provided $14.8 million through 36 grants, including today’s announcement.
The Housing is Healthcare Fund addresses Arizona’s rising affordability crisis, recognizing that stable housing is a key health-related social need and essential to improving quality of life for all Arizonans. Housing built by these grants will serve residents across the state including Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)-eligible individuals and families.
“Early in my healthcare career I saw how safe, stable housing could make the difference for an individual’s mental and physical health,” said Fund governance committee chair Tad Gary, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Care. “As health plans, we quickly learned that just paying for housing wouldn’t be enough; it was essential for all of us to work together to expand the availability of affordable housing for our members and communities. I’m proud of the contribution the Housing is Healthcare Fund has made through collaboration among health plans and focused impact.”
This fund was created when the managed care organizations who contract with the State’s Medicaid program to serve the health care needs of Arizona’s most vulnerable citizens came together to invest in housing. Fund participants include Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan, Banner – University Family Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona Health Choice, Molina Healthcare of Arizona, Mercy Care, The NARBHA Institute and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona. All participating plans are equally committed to advancing affordable housing solutions through this partnership.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a national community development financial institution with a local office based in Phoenix, serves as a trusted partner, supporting all health plans in the development and ongoing administration of the Fund, including project review and grant awards.
2025 award recipients:
Agape House of Prescott, Inc.
- Project: Prescott Valley Completion Project
- Address: 3275 N. Greg Dr., Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
- Grant: $100,000
- Total Development Cost: $523,464
- Estimated Construction Start: Under Construction
- Estimated Completion: January 2026
Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing
- Project: 41st and Thomas
- Property Address: 2700 N. 41st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009
- Grant: $500,000
- Total Development Cost: $40,549,668
- Estimated Construction Start: July 2026
- Estimated Completion: September 2027
Copa Health Inc.
- Project: The Beverly
- Property Address: 120 N. Beverly, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Grant: $500,000
- Total Development Cost: $15,321,240
- Estimated Construction Start: March 2026
- Estimated Construction Completion: April 2027
El Pueblo Housing Development
- Project: Sugar Hill on Stone
- Property Address: 1910 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705
- Grant: $500,000
- Total Development Cost: $26,386,071
- Estimated Construction Start: Under Construction
- Estimated Completion: November 2026
GHK Properties, LLC
- Project: Desert Dove Apartments
- Property Address: 6175 S. Midvale Park, Tucson, AZ 85746
- Grant: $300,000
- Total Development Cost: $25,769,092
- Estimated Construction Start: Under construction
- Estimated Completion: January 2026
John 1334 Ministries
- Project: Eden Village of Arizona
- Property Address: 113 N. Alma School Rd., Mesa, AZ 85201
- Grant: $400,000
- Total Development Cost: $5,232,049
- Estimated Construction Start: January 2026
- Estimated Completion: November 2026
Veterans Community Project
- Project: Glendale Tiny Homes for Veterans
- Property Address: 7570 N. 63rd Ave. Glendale AZ 85301
- Grant: $300,000
- Total Development Cost: $6,449,075
- Estimated Construction Start: March 2026
- Estimated Construction Completion: December 2026
The Housing is Healthcare Fund by the Arizona Medicaid Health Plans fosters collaboration among health plans and invests in affordable housing projects that connect communities and support healthier individuals, families, and economies across Arizona, including housing for Medicaid-eligible individuals. The Fund was developed in 2020 by a consortium of health plans, becoming the first statewide initiative aligned to the vision and values of the national Home Matters movement. This fund was previously known as the Home Matters Arizona Fund.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. LISC is committed to building communities of opportunity for all, grounded in the core belief that fostering a sense of belonging is vital to achieving shared prosperity. We design and implement every aspect of our work to uphold the dignity and well-being of all U.S. residents—regardless of background or zip code—while actively removing barriers to economic mobility. Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested $32 billion to create more than 506,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 82.5 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. LISC Phoenix was formed in 1992 and since its inception has collaborated with place-based organizations and corporate, foundation and public partners to create an innovative approach to working with neighborhoods that face challenges. For more, visit www.lisc.org/phoenix.