THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS HAS APPROVED A REGENTS’ COMMUNITY GRANT TO ADDRESS HOUSING CHALLENGES THAT FIREFIGHTERS EXPERIENCE IN THE PRESCOTT AREA. THE GOAL OF THE GRANT IS TO BETTER EQUIP FIRE AGENCIES TO OFFER SOLUTIONS FOR PERSONNEL WHO ARE PRICED OUT OF THEIR JOBS BY RISING HOUSING COSTS.

FIRE CHIEF FOR THE CENTRAL ARIZONA FIRE AND MEDICAL AUTHORITY, SCOTT FREITAG SAID “THE COST OF HOUSING IN OUR AREA HAS SKYROCKETED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WHETHER THE COST OF A HOME, OR THE COST OF RENT, OUR PERSONNEL ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, IF THEY CAN EVEN FIND A PLACE TO LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE RESEARCH NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY IS UNDERTAKING WILL HOPEFULLY PROVIDE A PATHWAY FOR US TO ENSURE OUR PERSONNEL HAVE ACCESS TO HOUSING IN THE FUTURE.”

CAFMA WOULD LIKE THE THANK THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS FOR RECOGNIZING THE CRITICAL NATURE OF THIS ISSUE AND FOR HELPING TO ENSURE THAT FIREFIGHTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE ATTAINABLE HOUSING OPTIONS, IN TURN SUPPORTING ARIZONA COMMUNITIES.