The proposed bill updates current statutes by extending the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) until July 1, 2026, with a repeal set for January 1, 2027. It mandates a special audit by the Auditor General to evaluate spending on homelessness programs over the past five years and introduces new requirements for ADOH, such as a comprehensive performance measurement system, biennial evaluations of housing programs, and secure wire transfer protocols to reduce fraud risks. Additionally, it expands reporting requirements for ADOH and the Department of Economic Security regarding homelessness prevention efforts.

The bill also amends section 41-1954 to require annual reports to include estimates of homeless populations for municipalities and counties, while repealing section 41-3025.06. It specifies that Housing Trust Fund monies cannot be allocated to down payment assistance programs without legal authorization and requires prior review by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for such programs. The bill appropriates $1,650,000 from the housing trust fund for the audit and includes provisions for tracking complaint resolution timelines, aiming to enhance accountability and improve resource utilization in addressing housing and homelessness issues in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-3025.06, 41-3026.14
House Engrossed Version: 41-1954, 41-3025.06, 41-3026.14, 41-3953, 41-3955, 41-3958, 41-1953, 100-485, 91-517, 41-1956, 41-1981, 35-146, 35-147, 104-193, 36-2903.01, 36-2904, 25-814, 42-2003, 25-520, 35-726, 35-728, 41-4010, 41-3957, 36-1404, 44-313, 35-751, 35-313, 35-190