FAQs on SALT Housing

Southern Arizona Land Trust, Inc., (“SALT”) is a nonprofit corporation, recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service, located in Tucson, Arizona.   SALT is a support organization of the Pima County Industrial Development Authority whose mission is to provide the Tucson/Pima County metropolitan area with affordable housing opportunities for low to moderate income households.

Affordable housing is typically defined as a housing unit whose cost does not exceed 30 percent of the occupant’s household income.  What does affordable housing do? Cost-burdened families are left with little cash available for other basic necessities of life such as food, transportation and healthcare.  The financial pressure filters down into all areas of life.  Studies have shown that affordable housing can greatly improve the quality of life and provide Household Stability, Economic Security, Improved Educational and Health Outcomes, and Enhanced Neighborhood Quality.

Yes.  72% of rental households in Tucson pay more than 30% of their household income toward housing costs. From 2012 to 2017, less than 10% of residential housing units built or rehabilitated in Tucson were dedicated or subsidized as affordable housing.  According  to a recent study by the University of Arizona, there are almost 92,000 market and/or income-restricted units of affordable housing needed to accommodate the lower-income households who need affordable housing in Tucson. Furthermore, as of February 2018 there were over 18,000 families on the waiting list for a Section 8 (government subsidized) housing voucher and no new applications were being accepted. Tucson’s section 8 program has just 5,654 vouchers, an allocation based on a HUD needs assessment completed in the 1990s. According to the 2018 NLIHC report, the amount of full-time jobs at minimum wage needed to afford the rent on a two-bedroom apartment in Tucson is 1.6. Additionally, among poor renter households in Tucson earning between 50 and 100 percent of the federal poverty level, 92.5 percent spent more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs, according to a 2018 survey by UA student researchers. 

SALT is governed by a board of directors, which is comprised of members of the Board of the IDA and a member of the community appointed by the IDA.  SALT’s day to day operations are managed by its management team.

Since its inception, SALT has evaluated well over 1,000 properties and has acquired and rehabilitated approximately 120 homes for its affordable rental portfolio. In addition,  over 60 homes and lots were acquired, rehabilitated and sold with an additional 360 properties added to its land bank. Today, SALT serves its low to moderate income households with safe, high quality and energy efficient affordable homes.  SALT continues to evaluate, acquire and rehabilitate properties, as well as build new homes on its land bank properties.  These activities provide inventory to further expand its rental portfolio, as well as ownership opportunities for qualified purchasers.

SALT currently manages over 120 rental properties in the Tucson area.  SALT’s operates under a “scattered site model” which means that our properties are not located in one central parcel or parcels.  Look at our list of available properties to see if there is something suitable for you.

SALT’s initial funding was received through the Pima IDA, and a US Department of Housing and Urban Development grant known as the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (“NSP2”).  Since that time, SALT’s operations have been financed through the rents received from its affordable housing properties under management, the development and sale of properties held in its land bank, grants and charitable donations. Funding for SALT’s more ambitious goals will be sought through low cost lines of credit, grants and donations of cash or real property.  

The best source of information on SALT is this website and the SALTy Blog which provides updates on affordable housing and SALT’s efforts in the community.  In addition, you can like our Facebook page @SALTHousing, contact SALT by e-mail at admin@saltproperty.com or by calling our offices at 520.352.2626.

The best way to support SALT is through tax deductible donations of cash or real property.  Our Donation page gives details on how to donate and the tax benefits you may receive from your donation.   

As a 501(c)(3) exempt organization, all donations to SALT deductible on your federal income taxes.  In addition, SALT has been designated by the Arizona Department of Revenue as a Qualified Charitable Organization. If you have paid or will pay Arizona state income taxes for 2016, you can make a donation to SALT and claim a credit against your state income tax liability up to the amounts allowed for the current tax year.  For more detailed information about the tax credit, please visit our donation page or call our offices at 520.352.2626.