PIMA COUNTY — Fifty years ago this week President Lyndon Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law. To recognize that achievement, the Pima County Housing Center, along with community partners, will host a forum geared for people re-entering society following incarceration and for property owners, managers and non-profit housing agencies owners who might rent to them.

The event will take place Friday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Housing Center, 801 W. Congress St. Pima County Board Chairman and District 5 Supervisor Richard Elías will serve as emcee.

Panel discussions will focus on management strategies and community resources that will help ensure these landlord-tenant relationships meet and exceed the requirements of the Fair Housing Act and other federal, state and local regulations.

“Fair housing is good business and good for the community,’ said housing Center Manager Marcos Ysmael. “It provides a foundation to people on the margins and allows them to put down roots, find work and services and maintain good mental and physical health. For property owners it fills vacancies and provides income.”

The day also will include the personal stories of former inmates who have successfully made the transition from prison and can offer insight on the process.

Registration is closed but the event will be shown live that morning on the Housing Center’s Facebook page and on televisions in the Center’s community room and reception area. Registered attendees may receive a certificate of participation.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors declared April “Fair Housing Month” to mark the Fair Housing Act’s Golden Anniversary. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development recognizes each April as “Fair Housing Month.”

PIMA COUNTY – The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously January 16 to name Supervisor Richard Elías as the new board chair. The District 5 supervisor has served on the board for 15 years, since February 2002, and previously served as board chair from 2006 – 2009.

The board selected District 2 Supervisor Ramón Valadez as vice chair. He has served on the board since 2003 and previously served as board chair from 2010 – 2013.

Chair Elías replaces District 3 Supervisor Sharon Bronson, who had served as board chair since 2014. Supervisor Bronson has previously served as board chair from 1999-2000, and from 2002-2005. The board voted her as acting chair, who serves as chair if the chair or vice chair are both unavailable for a meeting.

The board chair is responsible for, among other things, running board meetings and signing legal documents as required by state statute and County Code.

PIMA COUNTY, Arizona — A pair of senior and veterans housing projects funded in part by the Pima County Housing Center will break ground on Oct. 25th at 10:30 a.m. in midtown Tucson.

The complexes, going up adjacent to the TMM Family Services Inc. main campus, 1550 N. Country Club Rd., will offer 20 apartments intended to accommodate low-income seniors who live with a caregiver or family member.

The Housing Center provided $545,000 in voter-approved bond funding and an additional $708,000 in HOME funds toward the $2,850,000 total cost of the venture. HOME funds are federal grants awarded to states and municipalities to implement local housing strategies designed to increase homeownership and affordable housing opportunities for low and very low-income Americans.

“These residents deserve a high-quality place to live,” Housing Center Director Marcos Ysmael said. “These units will feature modern, split-level floor plans as well as appliances and other amenities that meet Energy Star standards that will make them more efficient and cost- effective, plus phone, internet and cable services.”

Ten of the apartments will offer amenities for disabled residents. Both sites will allow easy access to the campus’s commercial dining facility, activity and learning centers and athletic facilities.

Close proximity to the TMMFS main facility also will allow the agency’s counselors to work with tenants to help identify and address needs, including social service and medical referrals.

Project managers expect construction to run through early Spring 2018. Potential residents may apply beginning Feb. 1, 2018.

Special guests for the groundbreaking ceremony will include Pima County District 5 Supervisor Richard Elias, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and Ward 6 City Council member.