The Co-op Casa Model
What We're Building
Co-op Casa is an Arizona nonprofit housing cooperative that designs, builds, and manages permanently affordable housing in central Tucson. Operating with the institutional logic of a Mutual Housing Association, we ensure that through collective ownership by the cooperative and its members, these homes remain removed from the speculative market to serve Tucson's workforce in perpetuity.
Our near-term goals: build a first proof-of-concept project, establish a land bank to keep multiple sites in the pipeline simultaneously, and create a capital structure that is simple, efficient, and scalable.
Co-op Casa occupies this gap through cooperative ownership rather than subsidy. The affordability is structural, embedded in the organizational documents, and doesn’t expire. And government can play a vital role here — not as the primary housing provider, but as a funder and partner for innovative models that the market will never build on its own.
The model: Pocket Neighborhoods and more
Co-op Casa develops infill pocket neighborhoods — duplexes and fourplexes on 12,000–32,000 sq. ft. parcels, optimized for Tucson’s Middle Housing Ordinance. Every project includes:
The Resident Is Always First
Co-op Casa is designed to benefit the people who live here and the community — not outside investors. Every program and capital decision flows from three questions:
The 10-year picture for a member household at 70% AMI (~$52,000/year)
Financial Snapshot
Co-op Casa is being built as an organization with a growing portfolio — not as a series of standalone projects. Each development phase advances the portfolio toward 100 homes, then beyond. Debt financing is structured per phase, but the goal is a master credit facility that grows with the organization rather than requiring a new financing relationship for every site.
The capital stack per phase: 20% philanthropic equity unlocks 80% long-term debt. The monthly co-op fee services the debt, covers operations and reserves, and funds resident wealth accounts. No investor return.
The Team
Co-op Casa has an excellent starting line-up!
