Ending Chronic Homelessness Since 1995
Arizona Housing, Inc. (AHI), was founded in 1995 to promote and develop affordable, supportive housing as the solution to ending chronic homelessness. AHI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works closely with local homeless shelters and providers. In 1997 AHI opened its first location, providing permanent, affordable supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. As of 2023, AHI has developed, owns and operates five multifamily properties consisting of 652 units of permanent, affordable supportive housing for individuals and families.
The program is based on the Housing First Model where individuals and families are provided housing with wrap around case management services. Case management provides stability for individuals, which increases their success, allowing for accountability and promoting self-sufficiency. In addition to Housing First, staff employ a trauma-informed approach, using principles of Harm Reduction and proven best practices such as Motivation Interviewing and Critical Time Intervention to quickly build rapport with residents and empower them to move beyond their homelessness.
The case managers engage residents through community activities and services to create and maintain a healthy and supportive environment. As residents come to trust the staff, they seek their support in other areas. The housing is permanent and affordable – residents each have their own lease and pay rent according to their income level. Residents who were formerly classified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as "chronically homeless" pay rent with HUD vouchers, designed to end their long-term homelessness.
The development of AHI properties has been funded by a number of resources including Bank of America, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Affordable Housing Program, HUD Supportive Housing Program grants, HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Section 8 Certificates, Valley of the Sun United Way , the Continuum of Care Program, the Department of Energy, State of Arizona Department of Housing, Maricopa County Human Services Department and the City of Phoenix Housing Department.
The program is based on the Housing First Model where individuals and families are provided housing with wrap around case management services. Case management provides stability for individuals, which increases their success, allowing for accountability and promoting self-sufficiency. In addition to Housing First, staff employ a trauma-informed approach, using principles of Harm Reduction and proven best practices such as Motivation Interviewing and Critical Time Intervention to quickly build rapport with residents and empower them to move beyond their homelessness.
The case managers engage residents through community activities and services to create and maintain a healthy and supportive environment. As residents come to trust the staff, they seek their support in other areas. The housing is permanent and affordable – residents each have their own lease and pay rent according to their income level. Residents who were formerly classified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as "chronically homeless" pay rent with HUD vouchers, designed to end their long-term homelessness.
The development of AHI properties has been funded by a number of resources including Bank of America, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Affordable Housing Program, HUD Supportive Housing Program grants, HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Section 8 Certificates, Valley of the Sun United Way , the Continuum of Care Program, the Department of Energy, State of Arizona Department of Housing, Maricopa County Human Services Department and the City of Phoenix Housing Department.