Amphi Housing Resource Center Design Build

The Amphi Housing Resource Center Design Build project in Tucson, Arizona, is a Housing First initiative designed to provide low-barrier, low-demand shelter for vulnerable, high-need individuals experiencing homelessness who are least likely to engage with traditional shelter systems. Leveraging a progressive engagement model, the project prioritizes building trust and rapport with unsheltered populations during their stay, with the ultimate goal of facilitating smoother transitions into permanent housing by reducing systemic and personal barriers. This effort directly addresses the profound health, safety, and wellbeing impacts of chronic homelessness while simultaneously decreasing reliance on emergency services, law enforcement, and other city resources through coordinated city-wide response strategies. The project expands existing shelter capacity and operational capacity to serve more individuals in need, reflecting the City of Tucson’s commitment to equitable access to housing and supportive services. Located at 250 West King Road in Ward 2, the facility will be developed under a designated Village Housing District following a zoning change from R-2 to PAD, as outlined in the Conceptual Land Use Plan. The design accommodates a maximum building height of 30 feet with specified setbacks, landscaping buffers, and screening to ensure compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods, and includes adequate parking provisions. The site will feature both existing and newly proposed structures aligned with a holistic, trauma-informed approach to shelter and service delivery. The solicitation for design-build services was issued by the Arizona Department of Housing and Community Development with a response deadline of August 14, 2026, and project management is led by Katharine Mitchell, with Casey Adams serving as the Principal Contract Officer. The initiative represents a strategic, long-term investment in community wellbeing, public safety, and sustainable housing solutions for Tucson’s most vulnerable residents.