A public hearing was held to discuss the proposed rezoning of the former Fire Station 8, located at 250 West King Road, from residential to planned area development zoning. The meeting, which was scheduled for one hour, featured multiple speakers advocating for the establishment of a Housing First Resource Center aimed at addressing homelessness in Tucson.

Elizabeth Cozzi, representing the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, emphasized the urgent need for emergency housing solutions, citing an estimated 50 inquiries per week from individuals seeking assistance. She highlighted the center's potential to provide essential services, including laundry and behavioral health support, which were identified as critical needs in a recent survey of homeless residents. Cozzi urged the city council to approve the rezoning to facilitate the center's development.

Violet Vreeland and Faz Reiter from the Dumbo Spring Neighborhood Association expressed their support for the project, referencing successful housing initiatives in other cities. They stressed the importance of adequate staffing and funding for the center to ensure its effectiveness in preventing homelessness.

Keith Bentel, representing the Tucson Alliance for Housing Justice, provided a sobering analysis of the local homelessness crisis, noting a significant gap between the number of available shelter beds and the demand for services. He called for a more ambitious approach to affordable housing, urging the city to consider broader strategies to support vulnerable populations.

Other residents, including Reuben H. and Susan Stein Krieger, also voiced their support for the project, highlighting the need for a proactive response to the growing homelessness issue in Tucson.

The discussions underscored a collective call for action from community members and organizations, emphasizing the importance of the proposed Housing First Resource Center as a step toward alleviating the city's homelessness crisis. The city council is expected to deliberate on the rezoning request in the coming weeks.