Pima County outlines data, protocol and regional coordination steps in homelessness response; HUD technical assistance planned

Pima County officials briefed the Board of Supervisors Dec. 5 on progress organizing county responses to homelessness, emphasizing a new internal data system, protocol updates for encampment response and upcoming regional review with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development technical assistance.

The county’s Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions said staff have focused this year on priority work to make internal processes clearer and more responsive. Director Jen Darling told the board the county is developing an internal “air-traffic-control” style data system to monitor incoming reports of encampments, track which department has taken action, record engagement and note estimated timelines for site remediation.

"The purpose of today's update is to give you a high level overview of the activities that are rounding out the first year, since the establishment of the Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions," Darling said.

Why it matters: County staff said multiple reporting pathways — email, phone, constituent web forms and regional dashboards — make it difficult to compile baseline data and respond consistently. The new data platform, county officials said, is intended to link with the city of Tucson’s regional dashboard and improve visibility across departments.

Darling also described planned updates to Administrative Procedure 50.02 (the county’s existing homeless encampment protocol) to clarify steps, preserve humanitarian engagement priorities and reduce interdepartmental confusion. Staff said the updated procedure would try to balance specificity with flexibility so it remains applicable over time.

HUD technical assistance and research: County staff said HUD technical assistance will be on site in coming weeks to review local approaches and that a University of Arizona Southwinds Institute gaps analysis of the Continuum of Care portfolio will be released this month. The county expects both documents to inform future strategy.

Point-in-time count and older-adult summit: Darling reminded supervisors the unsheltered point-in-time count is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2025, and invited supervisors and staff to participate in field teams. She also said a summit on older-adult homelessness is planned for next year to identify needs for older adults who experience homelessness and to improve referrals and services.

Board reaction and follow-up: Supervisors asked whether the new internal system could reduce constituent frustration about jurisdictional handoffs; Darling said the system is being designed to surface the right jurisdictional contacts and that some delays are inherent when state or federal lands are involved. Supervisor Scott asked that draft protocol changes be circulated to district offices for input; staff agreed to do so. Administrator Lesher said staff will attempt to influence the content of HUD’s forthcoming report but warned federal rule or funding changes could limit near-term options.

What’s next: County staff said they will deliver a year-end report with granular findings and the updated protocol to the county administrator by year-end, continue coordinating HUD and university analysis, and prepare to conduct the Jan. 29 count.