Are you tired of waiting for housing affordability programs in Arizona? While the backlog may seem overwhelming, for some, like Flagstaff barber Marvin Pierce, it’s worth the wait.
Marvin Pierce, a 56-year-old barber, found himself homeless after his apartment was converted into a short-term rental property. Despite facing adversity, Pierce never gave up hope. After nearly two years of uncertainty and hardship, he finally secured a home through Flagstaff’s Section 8 Affordable Housing Program.
Living out of his car while working at a barber shop, taking showers at a truck stop, and relying on food kitchens, Pierce remained resilient in his determination to stay in Flagstaff. The federal program provided him with a 2-bedroom house in northeast Flagstaff for only $550 in rent.
With a smile on his face, Pierce expressed his gratitude, “I’ve got a great view of the mountain. It has my back. The universe got my back.”
However, Pierce is not alone in his struggle for affordable housing. Across Arizona, many individuals and families are in desperate need of housing assistance. Here’s a snapshot of federal housing programs in various cities:
- Flagstaff has a waitlist of approximately 2,800 applicants. Priority is given to those who live, work, or have employment prospects in Flagstaff.
- Tucson’s waitlist consists of around 26,000 applicants with an average wait time of 2-5 years.
- Phoenix’s Housing Choice Voucher program has a staggering 43,000 applicants on the waitlist due to the city’s rapid growth. Officials are advocating for increased allocation of vouchers from Congress.
- Glendale is currently accepting applications for a lottery to place 1,400 families in affordable housing by the end of the month.
Pierce expressed his gratitude towards the community, stating, “I want to thank the good people of Flagstaff. They came through for me.”
Despite the challenges in accessing affordable housing, stories like Marvin Pierce’s serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and community support in times of need.
