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Nogales Housing Authority reports 96.8% occupancy; commissioners press on waiting lists and accessible units
Summary
At its June 4 meeting the Nogales Housing Authority reported 217 leased units out of 224 (96.8% occupancy), discussed growing waiting lists, and clarified that the authority has made accommodations but does not have HUD‑designated accessible units.
Director Maritza Cervantes told the Nogales Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on June 4 that the authority had 217 existing leases out of 224 units, for a reported 96.8% occupancy rate.
"I'll start with our public housing report of 217 existing leases. We have 5 ready to lease, 2 in turnaround status, and 2 in offline modernization status," Director Maritza Cervantes said, noting four applicants were "ready for lease up" and one applicant was pending eligibility.
The report showed waiting lists by unit size: 135 for one‑bedroom units, 83 for two‑bedroom, 38 for three‑bedroom, five for four‑bedroom and one for five‑bedroom units. Cervantes said she had "submitted questions to our HUD field office to see if we can actually close the waiting list by unit," meaning the authority is asking HUD whether it may close the one‑ and two‑bedroom lists while keeping others open.
Commissioner Montiel raised constituent concerns about residents with vision or hearing impairments, asking whether there is priority for people with disabilities. Cervantes said the authority uses a point system in which disabilities can increase priority but that "it's not because they're disabled they will get it." She added the authority has few units formally classified as accessible.
Cervantes described past accommodations — such as installing grab bars and shower poles — but said those modifications do not meet HUD requirements to label a unit as officially handicapped. "We do not have 1 specified unit that is considered handicapped," she said, adding that some properties have a high share of elderly residents but are not HUD‑designated elderly properties: "The Lake Lou property is 98% elderly. It is not an elderly property. So by HUD's definition, we do not have... any specific actual unit that has been approved as being handicapped nor do we have properties that are just elderly."
Cervantes said two of the available units would be used as transfers to accommodate tenants moving from two‑story units to single‑story units that better match their medical needs. She also confirmed the authority remodeled its office counter to meet ADA standards.
The board accepted the occupancy report and asked staff to follow up on specific resident cases. Commissioner Montiel asked to provide the name of a long‑time waiting‑list resident after the meeting so staff could check their status; Cervantes agreed to do so.
The report contained no formal changes to the waiting‑list policy; Cervantes indicated further action would require HUD guidance and possible amendments to the authority's five‑year plan.
