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Tucson updates opioid settlement spending and Safer Center operations; ROSAC to consider additional allocations
Summary
City and county coordinating committees reported $31 million in regional opioid settlement receipts and $5.88 million already allocated to grantees. ROSAC allocated $300,000 to reissue a mobile services RFP; remaining funds may support Safer Center operations or conversion of Desert Cove shelter to a post‑incarceration recovery center. A University of Arizona evaluation report is expected in April.
City staff and regional partners updated council on opioid settlement funds and related program activity.
Lee Hopkins, who represents the city on ROSAC (the regional opioid settlement advisory committee), said pooled jurisdictions have received about $31 million to date; ROSAC disbursed roughly $5.88 million to grantees and set aside $300,000 to reissue a request for proposals for mobile services. That left approximately $1.9 million of the current tranche unallocated as ROSAC considers next steps.
Hopkins said ROSAC is considering funding another six months of the Safer Center, which provides short‑term stabilization and connection to services, or converting Desert Cove shelter into a reentry‑focused recovery center to assist people leaving incarceration and lacking immediate insurance or housing options.
“We have seen a significant increase in folks who are going to the Safer Center and are staying at the Safer Center,” Hopkins said, and added that local law enforcement and outreach teams are referring people for on‑site services.
Staff also described a three‑year Bureau of Justice Assistance grant that funded improved overdose data integration across hospitals, fire and police and will support follow‑up navigators; two navigator hires and one program manager are expected to be added under that grant to provide 48‑hour outreach after overdoses.
Stephanie Zamora said Pima County plans to provide multi‑year operating funding to the Wildcat shelter program beginning in FY2028 to sustain low‑barrier housing capacity.
Why it matters: Local use of opioid settlement funds and grant investments will determine near‑term support for stabilization, mobile outreach and post‑overdose follow‑up. Council and ROSAC will weigh continuing Safer Center funding versus other investments to expand treatment access and reentry supports.
