Tucson Affordable Housing Expands as Racist Covenant Removed

New complexes add nearly 200 units, while historic neighborhood erases discriminatory language

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:07am

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph featuring blurred images of new affordable housing, a neighborhood street, and a winding road, all captured in soft, warm pools of color and light, conveying the mood and concepts of the story without depicting any specific people, places or objects.As Tucson works to expand affordable housing options and address historical inequities, the city's diverse neighborhoods and infrastructure are captured in a dreamlike, impressionistic visual style.Tucson Today

Two new affordable housing projects are underway in Tucson, adding nearly 200 units for local families and workers. Meanwhile, a Midtown Tucson neighborhood has officially removed a racist, decades-old covenant that once barred non-white buyers from purchasing homes there.

Why it matters

The new affordable housing developments help address the city's ongoing need for more attainable homes, while the removal of the discriminatory covenant in the historic San Clemente area represents an important step in dismantling racist policies that have long restricted housing access.

The details

The affordable housing complexes, Lariat Village on Irvington and Desert Dove near Valencia, are part of more than 1,200 affordable units now in development citywide. In the Midtown San Clemente neighborhood, residents organized for three to four years to gather signatures and officially strip the discriminatory language from their property agreements.

  • The new affordable housing projects are currently underway.
  • Residents in the San Clemente neighborhood celebrated the removal of the racist covenant on Friday.

The players

Regina Romero

The Mayor of Tucson who joined ceremonies for the new affordable housing developments.

Lariat Village

An affordable housing complex being built on Irvington in Tucson.

Desert Dove

An affordable housing complex being built near Valencia in Tucson.

San Clemente

A historic Midtown Tucson neighborhood that has removed a racist, decades-old covenant from its property agreements.

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The takeaway

Tucson's efforts to expand affordable housing options and remove discriminatory housing policies demonstrate the city's commitment to increasing access and equity for all residents. These initiatives help address longstanding challenges around housing affordability and racial inequities in the local community.