Our History

We envision a community with equal access to quality, affordable housing, and pathways to increased wealth and financial freedom.

Founded in 1991 as a statewide administrator of the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program, FHR has grown into a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization addressing the overwhelming need for quality, affordable housing in Pima County. Obtaining HUD (Housing and Urban Development) certification in 1998 as a housing counseling agency, and subsequently, the purchase of several multifamily housing communities in 2002, we expanded our programmatic services in support of our vision to include access to affordable housing services through property management and operation. The scarcity of affordable housing for low to moderate-income individuals and families prompted our commitment to increasing Pima County’s affordable housing stock through HUD programs, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), direct acquisition, rehabilitation, and development of existing multifamily properties. Throughout our 30-year history, FHR has managed over 1944 units and 85 single-family homes. Today, we own and operate six multifamily properties totaling 222 units, including 2 LIHTC properties and 1 HUD-subsidy 62+ senior community.

In 2016, we funded the ‘Affordable Housing Gap Analysis in Pima County’ study by the University of Arizona’s Department of Landscape, Architecture, and Planning. The findings illustrated that Pima County had 156,000 lower-income households earning less than 80% Area Median Income (AMI), with 67% of these households living in housing units beyond their means - cost-burdened - due to the lack of vacancies in affordable housing units. This study confirmed what we knew – FHR had the responsibility to keep doing more. Individuals and families in these households were rarely eligible for conventional financing to purchase a home, many of whom were stuck in an infinite cycle of generational poverty. To rectify this, FHR’s Executive Director, Meghan Heddings, leads a staff of 19 compassionate employees supported by volunteers, interns, and community partners who work tirelessly to achieve our vision of affordable homeownership and financial freedom for all.

Since our founding, over 10,000 individuals / families have achieved stability and improved their lives through our housing counseling program at FHR. We have continually grown, gaining expertise in engaging and assisting people in attaining homeownership, building generational wealth. COVID-19 created unforeseen challenges, however, our down payment assistance clients like Hope B. and Evelyn P. persevered to realize their dream of owning their own homes.

Our work is never done but, through collaborations with other service providers on and off-site in a safe and caring environment, we can offer the tools and help necessary to support individuals and families. We believe that together we can end their experience of housing instability, building generational wealth and security for every individual and family in Pima County.

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