Neighbors react to Barrio Anita, El Presidio housing plans | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – A passionate community meeting about an affordable housing project in two Tucson neighborhoods wrapped up Wednesday evening. The project is planned for land in Barrio Anita near W. St. Mary’s Road and N. Granada Ave and land in El Presidio Neighborhood off of N. Main Avenue and St. Mary’s Road.

The meeting focused on what neighbors wanted to see from the two developments and not if residents wanted them.

Johanna Hernandez, the deputy director for Tucson Housing and Community Development, told News 4 Tucson that Mayor Regina Romero and Tucson City Council have directed the construction of affordable housing on “every available city site.” This includes land in Barrio Anita and El Presidio Neighborhood.

Several neighbors expressed their opposition to the housing projects like Bud Salomon, the vice president of the Barrio Anita Association.

“Cleaning up syringes, crack pipes that are at the park, we’re doing it. The city’s not bringing police officers to help us and then with another (50) units that are coming in we don’t know what type of people that are coming in,” Salomon said.

Salomon acknowledged the need, but he is concerned over unknown people that may live with the occupants of the affordable housing units, such as relatives that may pose a threat to the area.

The 50 units planned within Barrio Anita are two-story townhomes and a three-story apartment building. In the El Presidio neighborhood, 17 units could be added through four two-story buildings.

City officials acknowledged the resistance of several vocal neighbors.

“I know not everyone’s going to be happy from this. Based on the concerns we hear, we’re to create a design that can be an asset in the neighborhood,” Ann Chanecka, director of Housing and Community Development, told the more than two dozen attendees.

Some neighbors at the meeting supported the affordable housing project.

“This is the best proposal that we have seen in a decade, plus,” Bob Freitas, with the El Presidio Neighborhood Association, said.

Other residents like Salomon still feel unheard by the city.

“They’re not really giving us an option because they’re not hearing that we don’t want it,” he told News 4 Tucson. “All they’re asking us is ‘What do you want it to look like?’ They’re not hearing us that there’s a different need for our neighborhood.”

Salomon said rather than an empty lot along W. Davis St., Barrio Anita needs more parking and a safe path for kids to get from Davis Bilingual Elementary Magnet School to the Oury Recreation Center.

Tucson Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz did not attend Wednesday’s meeting due to illness, but Santa Cruz provided News 4 Tucson with the following statement:

“We are facing a severe shortage of affordable housing, and I’ve consistently supported building new affordable units on city-owned land to help more families access safe and stable homes. I understand that some neighbors may feel uncertain or fearful about changes in their area, which is why the City’s engagement process is so important. It allows us to hear concerns and identify opportunities—like shade, connectivity, lighting and parking—that can shape the final design. What we cannot do is allow stereotypes or unfounded fears about who might move into the area to derail needed housing. Our communities are strongest when we welcome families with dignity. My office and our Housing Department will continue listening to diverse voices and answering questions as the project moves through the competitive funding process.”

This exact affordable housing project’s future remains uncertain, as the city is seeking funding through Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Those federal tax credits are allocated by the state.

Another community meeting is expected in February 2026.