Tucson kicks off budget talks with housing and safety focus

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - Tucson is focusing on housing, homelessness, and safety as it kicks off a series of fiscal year 2027 budget talks this month.

Some city departments presented on some of their spending Monday night, but for the last hour department leaders took a more personalized approach, addressing resident questions and concerns by moving from table to table.

Lucinda Abril, a Tucson resident, expressed her concerns about homelessness.

“I think there’s a feeling across the community at least in my homeowner’s association and other people I talk to that, that that population has pretty much taken over the public spaces," Abril said.

Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar attributed the ongoing homelessness crisis to synthetic opioids.

“It’s really disappointing because the city in my