Tucson Renews STAR Village Shelter Program
The city will continue the homeless shelter initiative for a second year with a new program operator.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Tucson has officially renewed the STAR Village homeless shelter program for a second year. Old Pueblo Community Services is taking over as the site operator following the conclusion of the pilot program's first year.
Why it matters
The city intends for the program to continue providing support and behavioral health services to homeless individuals in the Tucson area. The renewal follows a pilot phase that successfully transitioned dozens of participants into permanent housing.
The city is allocating $300,000 from the general fund, derived from Mayor and Council office rollover savings, to cover the anticipated costs for the second year. This initiative currently serves 25 residents at the site.
The players
Old Pueblo Community Services
This is the new organization selected to manage the operations and site management for the STAR Village program.
Primavera Foundation
This organization served as the initial site operator during the pilot phase of the STAR Village program.
The details
The program served 138 homeless individuals during its inaugural year by utilizing behavioral health services and funds for move-in kits and utility payments. Old Pueblo Community Services replaces the Primavera Foundation as the lead manager for the 2026-2027 operations.
Timeline
The pilot program completed its first year of operation throughout 2025-2026.
The second year of the program is scheduled to run through 2026-2027.
Political Context
Opponents or fiscal watchdogs may scrutinize the reliance on rollover savings from the Mayor and Council offices for recurring social service expenses. This funding mechanism often faces pushback regarding the sustainability of such programs without dedicated long-term revenue streams.
The continuation of this program aims to stabilize 25 current residents while expanding capacity for others in the Tucson area. Residents may notice ongoing efforts by the city to manage local homelessness through these specific health and housing support services.
The takeaway
The transition to a new operator suggests a period of potential adjustment for the shelter model in the coming year. Stakeholders should monitor whether the updated management approach affects the transition rate into permanent housing.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives at the Tucson Civic Engagement portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kold.
Live Poll
Do you trust that city-funded homeless programs in your area provide long-term stability for participants?
