New Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground on Tucson's Northside

Amazon Flats will provide 59 one-bedroom units for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:27am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a modern apartment building facade in shades of teal, coral, and mustard yellow, capturing the energy and optimism of the new affordable housing development in Tucson.The vibrant, modern design of the new Amazon Flats affordable housing development aims to bring a sense of community and optimism to Tucson's Northside neighborhood.Tucson Today

A new multimillion-dollar affordable housing development called Amazon Flats has broken ground in Tucson, Arizona. The project, located on Miracle Mile near I-10, will provide 59 one-bedroom units for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income. The development is part of the city's 'Thrive in the 05' community reinvestment initiative.

Why it matters

Tucson is facing a significant housing shortage, with a study showing the city needs 35,000 new housing units over the next 10 years. The Amazon Flats development aims to help address the need for more affordable housing options in the city, particularly in the Northside neighborhood.

The details

Amazon Flats will sit adjacent to the recently converted Amazon Motel, which now provides 30 studio apartments for permanent supportive housing. The new development is expected to be completed in 14-15 months. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero celebrated the groundbreaking, noting the project's potential to 'stabilize and help individuals and families thrive'.

  • Amazon Flats broke ground on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • The project is expected to be completed in 14-15 months.

The players

Regina Romero

The mayor of Tucson, Arizona, who celebrated the groundbreaking of the Amazon Flats affordable housing development.

Ann Chanecka

The director of housing and community development for the City of Tucson, who explained the need for more housing in the city.

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What they’re saying

“We're celebrating the possibility of stabilizing and helping individuals and families thrive.”

— Regina Romero, Tucson Mayor

“We worked with planning and development services on a housing study that shows over the next ten years, we need 35,000 units of housing in Tucson - some of that is affordable housing, some of it is market housing.”

— Ann Chanecka, Director of Housing and Community Development, City of Tucson

What’s next

The city expects the Amazon Flats project to be completed in 14-15 months, providing much-needed affordable housing for dozens of Tucson residents.

The takeaway

The groundbreaking of the Amazon Flats development highlights Tucson's efforts to address its significant housing shortage, particularly the need for more affordable options. By investing in projects like this, the city aims to help stabilize individuals and families in the Northside neighborhood and beyond.