It is difficult for a growing number of people in this country to find and secure affordable housing. A newly launched 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Bisbee Together, plans to tackle this issue head on. The organization was formed in 2024 by Kathleen Buchanan, along with Steve Relyea, Mike Relyea, Carlos Garcia Sr., Carlos Garcia Jr., David Garcia and Maria Garcia, to address a twofold issue: lack of affordable housing and being economically viable to live in the city of Bisbee. They saw a need in the community to make it more attractive and feasible for an average person to live in this special town. “The history of the city and surrounding areas are integral to the tourist-based influx of jobs and income potential for being able to live/work and thrive here,” said Buchanan. “Demographics show we are a community living at poverty levels with a lower-than-average median income and largely retired seniors living on social security.”
The organization bought land last year on Naco Highway and Collins Road in the San Jose neighborhood to set the plan in action. The Planning Center in Tucson created an initial site plan conceptually viable for the land purchased and based on city codes. The site consists of 71 30 feet by 70 feet lots for “minimalist housing” with larger lots for maintenance and security staff to live. With the environment in mind, they are going to accommodate the land contours for water catchment, natural vegetation and natural open space areas, as well as be as net zero (balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere) as possible. “Conceptually, we are putting the entire work/live community way of life to its best use as well as lowering the carbon footprint,” said Buchanan. “Walking paths, community gardens and xeriscaping are integral.”
To expand the earning potential for residents, part of this initial phase also includes the idea of on-site retail space (“el mercado”) for residents to own a business and make money where they live, which cuts down on living costs (as well as car pollution). The output is having more relaxation time. The concept will be like Mercado San Agustin Annex in Tucson, with an annex that includes a retail, restaurant and entertainment complex……read full story (online subscribers only)