Housing Commission Meeting - February 26, 2026

The City of Flagstaff Housing Commission meeting on February 26, 2026, focused on affordable housing initiatives, historic preservation, and community services for homeless populations. A public comment highlighted a proposal to preserve the historic El PBLO Motel through adaptive reuse combined with affordable housing development, with the city potentially assisting in land acquisition. Ross Schaffer from Flagstaff Shelter Services presented an extensive overview of their 20 years of service, detailing their emergency shelter operations, housing support services, and partnerships with health and social service providers. The commission discussed coordinated entry systems to streamline access to homeless services and emphasized the importance of housing-first models despite challenges in the current rental market. Updates were provided on new affordable housing units, including the Western Hills Apartments and the Lone Tree Ranch development, funded through various city and federal programs such as CDBG and LITC. The commission also reviewed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding process, noting a funding gap between requests and available resources, with plans to evaluate and recommend allocations in upcoming meetings. The meeting concluded with procedural motions to consider future agenda items related to housing and preservation projects, reflecting ongoing efforts to address housing needs and community development in Flagstaff.