Old Pueblo Community Services | Diversity Employer

Old Pueblo Community Services began in 1996, with one home and a mission to provide safe and affordable housing for persons leaving prison homeless.  Within a short time, OPCS had become a reputable, supportive environment for men needing a Second Chance. Based on that reputation, OPCS grew from that one house to over ten recovery communities and numerous scattered site apartment units.  This included the addition of reentry housing with employment supports funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2002, and Veteran housing and services through contracts with the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration in 2005.

OPCS obtained behavioral health outpatient licensure in 2007, and started providing housing and treatment services for Veterans experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health conditions.  This work grew to outpatient addiction treatment and behavioral health services for persons leaving institutions homeless, or living on the streets.

In 2013 OPCS formally adopted the Housing First approach to ending chronic homelessness in Tucson.  Since that time we have opened over 100 low barrier bridge housing and shelter units for persons who with the highest need and vulnerability, but are not able to enter traditional high barrier shelters.

Today OPCS provides safe affordable housing options to approximately 400 persons every day.  This includes site based communities with onsite case management and behavioral health supports, as well as individual permanent housing units scattered throughout Pima County.  We employ a team of approximately 80 staff who assist approximately 2,000 persons per year, with over 500 moving into permanent housing each year.

In the next few years we look forward to expanding our reach into a larger inventory of affordable housing, and emerging  as the community leader of evidence based Housing First  approaches to ending homelessness in Pima County.

MISSION STATEMENT
OPCS’ mission is to end homelessness. We do this by providing housing first with support services, and by fostering community empathy for people who experience homelessness. 

VISION STATEMENT
At OPCS, we envision a world where homelessness is rare and brief.  A world where Housing First is the standard, and safe, accessible, dignified housing is available to all.

OPCS’ DIVERSITY STATEMENT
OPCS is intentionally working toward a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA).  We acknowledge that forms of systemic discrimination (such as sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism/poverty, able-ism, and anti-immigrant sentiment), has marginalized persons in our community, and negatively impacted their access to housing, employment, and healthcare. Because of this, we aspire to greater inclusion and access throughout our organization, including those in need of housing and services, as well as our staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers.  We oppose discrimination and racism by working to remove stereotypes and negative attitudes that affect all our interactions and stand in the way of our vision of ending homelessness in Pima County.

CORE VALUES

• EMPATHY: We have a deep compassion for persons experiencing homelessness in our community. We do not judge or blame persons for their current condition. Under similar conditions, any one of us could find ourselves without a home and in need of help. 
• INTEGRITY: We act in an honest and transparent manner. We hold each other accountable to high performance standards that lead to the best outcomes for our clients. We encourage each employee and team to reach their highest potential. 
• CHOICE: We honor each person’s right to choose their own path to wellness. Because of this, we offer both housing and recovery support based on client choice.
• QUALITY: We believe that our clients deserve the best housing, therapy and support services we can offer. We provide housing that is safe, clean, inviting and supportive.  Our counseling services are innovative and proven to increase wellness and housing stability.
• OPTIMISM: We believe in the potential for all persons to achieve their goals. We find our work meaningful and enjoyable because we know we make a difference. We believe that we can solve the problem of chronic homelessness facing our community.