Sustainability in Government:

Social Health & Well-Being

City Vision

The social aspects of sustainability are important for a thriving and livable community. The Tucson Mayor and Council endorsed the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement (MCPA) in September 2006. Although the goals of the MCPA are driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb global warming, they are connected to the livability of our community. The goals related to Social Health and Well-Being in the MCPA are guiding the City’s efforts to improve infrastructure, access to services, and City planning.

Social Health and Wellbeing related elements of the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement:

• Reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities.

• Promote transportation alternatives to single-occupant car use.

• Maintain urban green space and promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2.

This page is dedicated to providing information about the City of Tucson’s departments, codes, plans, programs, and resources related to Social Health and Well-being. Also visit the Smart Growth and Green Building page of this section for more related information.

City Departments

Department of Housing and Community Development
The Department of Housing and Community Development is responsible for administering housing, community development, planning, and social services programs. The Department plans, funds and operates programs which assist Tucsonans, and families throughout Pima County, in improving their housing options, their neighborhoods, and their lives.

• Neighborhood Services
Neighborhood Resources (DNR) is dedicated to helping both individuals and neighborhoods to strengthen our community.

City of Tucson Diversity Team

The City of Tucson Diversity Team was formed in September 2006. These 28 amazing and diverse employees represent various departments and positions throughout the City. The Team came together and worked diligently to bring forward ideas and suggestions on how the City can better serve the community and the workforce in a way that is supportive, inclusive, respectful, and free of intolerance and discrimination.

Advisory Committees

Mayor and Council Environment, Planning, and Resources Management Subcommittee (EPRM)

Mayor and Council Neighborhoods, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee

Mayor and Council Transportation Subcommittee

Community Design Review Committee (CDRC)
The CDRC is composed of City departments, public and private regulatory agencies and utility companies. CDRC reviews all subdivisions and development plans except site plans.

Landscape Advisory Committee (LAC)

Advisory to Mayor and Council on matters pertaining to the policies, planning, design, management, and promotion of public education regarding the City's landscape and vegetation resources.

Planning Commission
Advise Mayor and Council and the Department of Urban Planning & Design on the adoption of long-range plans, policies, specific plans, and regulations that affect land use and development.

Planning Commission Infill Subcommittee

City Plans, Codes, and Programs

Emergency Management Planning

Created to oversee, coordinate and provide support resources and personnel during a major incident in the City, County, or State, identify and provide training appropriate to the roles employees will play when responding and participating in an incident, educate employees and implement the use of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in the day to day operations of the City when an incident occurs, and administer Urban Area Security Initiative and Metropolitan Medical Response System jurisdictions and programs.

Brownfields Program
The City of Tucson, Environmental Services manages a citywide Brownfields Program, which enables successful redevelopment of adversely impacted properties. The Brownfields Program encourages infill through the redevelopment of brownfield sites. Brownfields redevelopment spurs economic benefits, revitalizes surrounding areas, and reduces development pressure on undisturbed desert areas.

Vacant and Neglected Structures Program
The Vacant and Neglected Structures (VANS) program involves the survey of properties with residential structures, an assessment of the structure’s state of neglect, and contact property owners to advise them of their responsibility to restore or remove the neglected structures. Expansion of this program to commercial properties is planned.

Citywide Housing Sustainability Program
The purpose of this project is to provide financial and technical assistance to low income homeowners faced with an urgent housing repair situation. Eligibility will be limited to cases involving owner-occupied homes within the City of Tucson, families of limited income and assets, and homes with a hazardous and/or unsanitary condition threatening the life and/or health of their present occupants.

Back to Basics
This program is funded through State and Federal funds which are used for neighborhood improvements that residents plan and request.

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program
HUD’s funding of the City of Tucson Community Services Department’s application for the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program, will target and serve low to very-low income families with children under six years of age— residing or frequenting owner occupied or rental housing built prior to 1978.

Other Government Programs

Pima County Health Department

The Pima County Health Department and its members are committed to embracing and promoting diversity throughout our programs. Our rich diversity of racial and ethnic heritage, gender, sexual orientation and other life experiences enhances our work environment, collaboration with our community partners, care for our clients, and our public health presence throughout Pima County.

Arizona Department of Health Services

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. Adam makes me smile.

Education and Resources

Tucson Area Hospitals

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention