FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2026
Contact:
Jason Webb, Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator
Administration of Resources and Choices (A.R.C.)
520-780-9049
jwebb@arc-az.org
www.arc-az.org
Tucson Housing Counselor Named Arizona Housing Counselor of the Year
Phoenix, AZ / Tucson, AZ — As communities across Arizona face rising housing costs and growing housing instability, a Tucson-based housing counselor is being recognized for making a measurable difference on the front lines.
Araceli Jimenez, a HUD‑certified housing counselor who has been with Administration of Resources and Choices (A.R.C.) for 16 years, has been named Arizona Housing Counselor of the Year by the Arizona Housing Coalition, one of the state’s leading housing advocacy organizations.
The award will be presented on May 13, 2026, during the Arizona Housing Coalition’s Annual Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center, where housing leaders from across the state will gather to address Arizona’s most urgent housing challenges.
The Housing Counselor of the Year Award recognizes outstanding professionals who demonstrate excellence in helping individuals and families navigate homeownership, foreclosure prevention, eviction avoidance, and long‑term housing stability. Jimenez was selected for her dedication, bilingual service delivery, and sustained impact helping Southern Arizona residents remain stably housed and achieve economic security.
“This recognition highlights the essential, often unseen work that housing counselors perform every day,” said Debbie Chandler, Executive Director of A.R.C. “Araceli’s work changes lives—whether it’s helping a family avoid eviction, guiding a first‑time homebuyer, or restoring hope for someone who believed housing stability was out of reach.”
Housing counselors play a critical role as Arizona communities contend with limited housing supply, rising rents and home prices, and increased risk of displacement. In Southern Arizona, counselors serve as trusted navigators—connecting residents to financial education, housing resources, and emergency interventions that prevent homelessness before it begins.
Jimenez, who has served Tucson and surrounding communities for more than a decade, works directly with individuals and families facing complex housing and financial barriers. Her approach combines technical expertise with culturally responsive, client‑centered counseling in both English and Spanish.
“For many households, housing counseling is the difference between crisis and stability,” Jimenez said. “This work is about dignity, opportunity, and helping people see a path forward.”
The statewide honor brings attention not only to Jimenez’s achievements, but also to the growing demand for housing counseling services as communities respond to housing affordability pressures nationwide.
About Administration of Resources and Choices (A.R.C.)
Founded in Tucson, Administration of Resources and Choices (A.R.C.) is a HUD‑certified nonprofit housing counseling and elder services agency serving Southern Arizona. A.R.C. provides housing counseling, foreclosure and eviction prevention, financial education, and supportive services that promote housing stability, independence, and community well‑being.
About the Arizona Housing Coalition
The Arizona Housing Coalition is a statewide membership organization working to advance policies, partnerships, and programs that expand access to safe, affordable housing for all Arizonans.
