TED: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER AND HOW LONG WE CAN EXPECT THIS MONSOON ON STEROIDS TO CONTINUE?

>>> ON CRONKITE NEWS, THE LATEST ON COVID-19 FROM THE VALLEY'S TOP TEACHING HOSPITAL.

>>> AND ON "BREAK IT DOWN," IS IT POSSIBLE TO ESCAPE FROM REALITY ANYMORE WHEN WATCHING TV OR READING BOOKS?

ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF ARIZONA PBS.

ANNOUNCER: THIS HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FRIENDS OF PBS, MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION, THANK YOU.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," I'M TED SIMONS.

ALL AMERICANS WILL BE OFFERED COVID BOOSTER SHOTS BEGINNING NEXT MONTH.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION GAVE THE GO-AHEAD TODAY.

>> WE ARE ANNOUNCING OUR PLAN TO STAY AHEAD OF THIS VIRUS BY BEING PREPARED TO OFFER COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS TO FULLY VACCINATED ADULTS, 18 YEARS AND OLDER.

THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THEIR BOOSTER SHOT EIGHT MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THEIR SECOND DOSE OF THE PFIZER OR MODERNA mRNA VACCINE.

WE PLAN TO START THIS PROGRAM THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2021.

THE PLAN ENSURES PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED EARLIEST IN THE VACCINATION ROLLOUT, THIS INCLUDES OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION, LIKE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AND OTHER SENIORS.

WE WILL BEGIN DELIVERING BOOSTER SHOTS DIRECTLY TO RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

TED: THE BOOSTERS INITIALLY WILL BE FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINE.

IT'S ANTICIPATED THE SAME WILL HOLD TRUE FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON DOSE.

>>> FALLOUT OVER THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO USE FEDERAL MONEY TO ENTICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHARTERS, SUCH EFFORTS SET A DANGEROUS TONE.

>> THAT'S WHY TODAY, I'M DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, AN EDUCATOR HIMSELF, TO TAKE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

THIS INCLUDES USING ALL OF HIS OVERSIGHTS AUTHORITIES AND LEGAL ACTION, IF APPROPRIATE, AGAINST GOVERNORS WHO ARE TRYING TO BLOCK AND INTIMIDATE LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND EDUCATORS.

AS I SAID BEFORE, IF YOU AREN'T GOING TO FIGHT COVID-19, AT LEAST GET OUT OF THE WAY OF EVERYONE ELSE WHO'S TRYING.

TED: INDEED U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MIGUEL CARDONA SAID IN A LETTER TO GOVERNOR DUCEY IT'S IN THE DISCRETION OF DISTRICTS TO USE FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY FOR INDOOR MASK POLICIES AND OTHER POLICIES ALIGNED WITH CDC GUIDANCE.

CARDONA ADDED THAT DUCEY'S MOVE MAY INFRINGE UPON A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S AUTHORITY TO ADOPT POLICY TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS AS HE DEVELOPS A SAFE RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION PLANS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW.

THE LETTER WAS SENT TO KATHY HOFFMAN WHO RESPONDED THAT SHE STANDS BEHIND THE EDUCATION SECRETARY'S POSITION AND THANKED HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT.

>>> MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO FILE A $2.8 MILLION NOTICE OF CLAIM AGAINST THE STATE SENATE OVER THE COST OF REPLACING COUNTY ELECTION EQUIPMENT HANDLED AND COMPROMISED BY CYBER NINJAS WHICH LED THE SENATE'S SELF-TILED COUNT OF BALLOTS.

>>> THE COUNTY'S MOVE COMES AFTER FANN ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT A PRELIMINARY AUDIT REPORT FROM CYBER NINJAS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE SENATE ON MONDAY.

"THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" REPORTS THAT THE SENATE WILL REVIEW AND REVISE THE FINDINGS BEFORE RELEASING A FINAL REPORT TO THE PUBLIC.

>>> AND THE STATE SUPREME COURT WILL ISSUE RULING ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF PROP 208 TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00.

PROP 208 IS THE TAX ON HIGH-WAGE EARNERS PASSED BY ARIZONA VOTERS LAST NOVEMBER.

THE EAGERLY ANTICIPATED RULING COULD AFFECT THE FUTURE OF TAXATION AND EDUCATION FUNDING IN THE STATE.

>>> ARIZONA HAS BEEN HIT WITH WAVE AFTER WAVE OF MONSOON STORMS THIS PAST WEEK RESULTING IN DEADLY FLOODWATERS IN GILA BEND AND MAJOR STREET FLOODING IN FLAGSTAFF.

EARLIER TODAY, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS INFLUX OF MONSOON RAINS WITH ASU CLIMATOLOGIST.

ALL RIGHT, ANDY, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AS WE'RE SPEAKING, THIS IS BEING RECORDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

IT'S CLOUDING UP AGAIN.

WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE?

>> THIS IS JUST CLASSIC MONSOON.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL SITUATION.

RIGHT NOW THE WEST VALLEY IN PARTICULAR IS GETTING SLAMMED AS WE'RE TALKING IN THE AFTERNOON HERE, BUT THIS IS JUST GOOD TROPICAL MOISTURE THAT'S BEING PUMPED UP AND UPLIFTED, PUSHED UP BY THE TOPOGRAPHY AROUND PHOENIX AND THAT CREATES VERY GOOD RAINS.

>> YOU KNOW FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE LIVED HERE FOR A WHILE, WE REMEMBER MONSOONS USED TO BE LIKE THIS.

THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAD NO MONSOONS, A NONSOON BUT REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU HAD A STRONG STORM, IT SEEMED LIKE THE NEXT DAY THINGS QUIETED DOWN, AND BUILT BACK UP, THIS IS DAY AFTER DAY.

>> THIS HAS REALLY BEEN SURPRISING.

YEAH, OLD-TIMERS, WE HAD SOMETHING THAT WE CALLED THE ED PHILLIPS RULE, USED TO BE A METEOROLOGIST FOR CHANNEL 15.

HE FIRMLY BELIEVED IF IT RAINED ONE DAY, IT'S NOT GOING TO RAIN THE NEXT DAY.

THIS IS THE EXCEPTION OF THE RULE.

WE'VE MAINTAINED INSTABILITY, THE ABILITY TO LIFT THE AIR UP, EVEN FOR DAYS IN A ROW.

NORMALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN YOU HAVE A THUNDERSTORM, IT STABILIZES OUT THE ATMOSPHERE, IT DOESN'T ALLOW THE AIR TO LIFT UP EASILY.

FOR SOME REASON THIS YEAR, WE MANAGED TO BEAT THAT RULE.

TED: WHAT IS GOING ON, RANDY?

THE JET STREAM HERE, DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE HOT WEATHER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST?

>> OUR MONSOON IS, YES, THE BIG RESULT OF THAT INCREDIBLY HOT TEMPERATURE THEY'VE HAD UP IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE UNITED STATES INTO CANADA.

THAT HOT AIR HAS ALLOWED FOR AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE TO BE FUNNELED UP FROM THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND THE GULF OF MEXICO -- EXCUSE ME, GULF OF CALIFORNIA INTO ARIZONA.

IF YOU'VE NOTICED THIS LAST COUPLE WEEKS, WE HAVE JUST BEEN FLORIDA-LIKE IN TERMS OF OUR HUMIDITY.

WE'VE HAD DEWPOINTS THAT HAVE BEEN UP IN THE 70s, THAT'S UNHEARD OF FOR PHOENIX BUT PROVIDES THE FUEL, THE MOISTURE FOR CREATING THE REALLY GOOD RAINS.

TED: OKAY, HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO GO ON?

>> WELL, THAT'S THE NICE THING.

TODAY IS THE LAST SPURT OF THIS CURRENT ROUND OF STORMS.

WE'RE GOING TO DRY OUT FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AROUND LABOR DAY AND AFTER, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS THE MONSOON CHARGES BACK UP.

IT NORMALLY DOES GO IN BURSTS OF ACTIVITY AND INACTIVITY.

HERE WE'VE HAD TWO GOOD SOLID WEEKS OF ACTIVITY AND A WEEK OF INACTIVITY AND CHARGE BACK UP IN SEPTEMBER.

TED: WOW, WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN AS FAR AS A DROUGHT IS CONCERNED?

>> WELL, IT HELPS.

I THINK WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT THE IDEA THAT WINTERTIME RAINFALL, WINTERTIME SNOWFALL IS MUCH, MUCH MORE USEFUL FOR US IN TERMS OF THE DROUGHT, BUT THESE SUMMER RAINS HAVE BEEN REALLY USEFUL.

IF WE LOOK AT CURRENT DROUGHT MAP FOR THE WESTERN UNITED STATES, WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS THE ONE PLACE THAT IT'S GOTTEN BETTER HAS BEEN ARIZONA.

THE REST OF THE WEST.

CALIFORNIA AND NORTHWEST AND UTAH AND NEVADA, THEY STILL REMAIN IN DEEP DROUGHT, BUT WHERE JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, MORE THAN 80% OF ARIZONA WAS IN EXTREME DROUGHT, THIS WEEK IT'S ONLY 6%.

SO WHILE WE ARE STILL IN A DROUGHT, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT, WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF RELIEF THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.

TED: THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

EL NINO, LA NINA, ARE THEY PLAYING INTO THIS AT ALL?

AND IS ANYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING NOW SUGGESTING WHAT WE MIGHT EXPECT FOR THIS WINTER?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOES PLAY A ROLE IN TERMS OF WINTERTIME RAINFALL, AND IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD FOR US.

THE CURRENT STATE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN IS TENDING TOWARDS COLD WATERS.

COLD WATERS ARE WHAT WE CALL LA NINA, AND THEY DO NOT ALLOW FOR STORMS TO WORK INTO ARIZONA.

SO UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE LOOKING AT A TRY FALL AND WINTER.

SO WE WANT TO GET AS MUCH USE OUT OF THE CURRENT STORMS AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT LOOKS BY THE TIME WE GET INTO WINTER, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT RAIN ANYMORE.

TED: IN OTHER WORDS, GET IT WHILE YOU CAN, HUH?

>> EXACTLY.

TED: BEFORE YOU GO, REAL QUICKLY, THE 60-MILE-AN-HOUR, 70-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS RECORDED AT SKY HARBOR AROUND THE VALLEY.

THAT IS RELATIVELY UNUSUAL, IS IT NOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

THOSE KIND OF WINDS FOR MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, OCCASIONALLY DURING A MONSOON, WE'LL HAVE A SINGLE THUNDERSTORM THAT WILL PRODUCE A MICROBURST THAT WILL HAVE ONE STATION THAT WILL GET 70- OR 80-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS BUT HAVE AN ENTIRE AREA OF THAT STRONG OF WINDS IS VERY, VERY UNUSUAL FOR THIS PART OF THE WORLD.

MORE REMINISCENT WHAT WE SEE IN THE MIDWEST OF A DERECHO STORM, A STORM IN THE MIDWEST.

VERY UNUSUAL FOR ARIZONA.

TED: DON'T NEED THAT BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY USE THE RAIN, AND WE'VE BEEN GETTING THE RAIN, WE'RE STILL GETTING IT, RANDY CERVENY, APPRECIATE IT, THANKS.

>> MY PLEASURE.

TED: UP NEXT, A VIROLOGIST TALKS ABOUT TRUSTING THE SCIENCE BEHIND COVID VACCINATIONS.

.

TED: WHY DO PEOPLE WHO TRUST THE SCIENCE BEHIND SO MANY THINGS IN MODERN LIFE NOT TRUST THE SCIENCE BEHIND COVID VACCINES, THAT WAS THE QUESTION WE ASKED VIROLOGIST, A VISITING PROFESSOR OF IMMUNOBIOLOGY AT THE U OF A.

DOCTOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, APPRECIATE IT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

YOU WROTE AN OP-ED PIECE HERE RECENTLY.

YOU CALLED BASICALLY THE CDC SAID AS WELL, THIS IS A PANDEMIC RIGHT NOW OF THE UNVACCINATED.

EXPLAIN PLEASE.

>> YES, WE HAVE LARGE PART PORTION OF THE COUNTRY WHICH ARE UNDERVACCINATED, AND THE VIRUS IS REALLY SPREADING RAPIDLY AMONG THAT GROUP.

THIS DELTA VARIANT IS MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN PREVIOUS VARIANTS.

THAT MEANS THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET SICK, THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS WITH COVID AND ALL OF THAT.

THE REASONS WHY IT'S TRANSMITTING MORE READILY, THERE ARE MANY REASONS, THEY ARE VIRROLOGICAL REASONS, MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK, MORE DISEASES HAPPEN, AND THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

THE PRESENT RATE OF INFECTION IS ABOUT 100,000 TODAY.

THAT'S ESTIMATED 20% OF THAT IS AMONG CHILDREN.

PEDIATRICS, EVERY AGE OF A PEDIATRIC PATIENT IS FIVE YEARS OLD.

THAT'S FRIGHTENING.

SO THE MYTH THAT WE'VE BEEN UNDER THAT CHILDREN AREN'T AFFECT BADLY BY THIS VIRUS IS NOT TRUE.

TED: THIS KIND OF INFORMATION IS OUT THERE, DOCTOR, HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE, YET STILL 50% OF THE COUNTRY IS NOT FULLY VACCINATED AND THERE'S A SIZABLE PERCENTAGE THAT SAY THEY'LL NEVER, EVER GET VACCINATED REGARDLESS.

HOW DO YOU TRY TO MOVE THAT NUMBER A LITTLE BIT, TO GET PEOPLE TO TRUST SCIENCE AND TO GET THESE VACCINATIONS ROLLING?

>> I'VE BEEN A VIROLOGIST FOR 50 YEARS.

ONE THING I'VE LEARNED IN ALL THAT TIME IS IF YOU CAN AVOID GETTING A VIRAL INFECTION, ANY VIRAL INFECTION, YOU SHOULD AVOID IT BECAUSE VIRUSES DAMAGE YOU.

THEY DAMAGE YOU IN THE SHORT TERM, THE INITIAL INFECTION, WHICH CAN MAKE YOU VERY SICK, CAN KILL YOU.

THEY DAMAGE YOU IN THE LONG TERM, THEY CAN PREDISPOSE YOU TO CANCERS DEPENDING ON THE VIRUS, NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, CARDIAC DISORDERS, ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF.

VIRUSES DO THAT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS AROUND WITH VIRUSES.

THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS, SARS-CoV-2, THEY ALREADY KNOW IT CAUSES LONG-TERM EFFECTS, LONG COVID, WHICH IS DEBILITATING FATIGUE, NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK A LOT LIKE DEMENTIA.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE HEART DISORDERS AND WE'VE ONLY KNOWN THIS VIRUS FOR 18 MONTHS.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS MIGHT BE TWO YEARS, FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WHICH IS WHEN A LOT OF VIRUS LONG-TERM EFFECTS START SHOWING UP.

I THINK THIS IS A REASON TO PROTECT YOURSELF IN ANY WAY YOU CAN.

VACCINATION IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

MASKING ALSO.

I JUST BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS THAT THEY COULD HAVE IF THEY GOT THIS INFECTION.

TED: DO YOU FEEL, DOCTOR, THAT FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, THEY FEEL AS THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT IS PUSHING FOR VACCINATIONS AS OPPOSED TO TO DOCTORS?

DOCTORS ARE OBVIOUSLY DOING IT, BUT WHEN THE GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED, YOU HAVE A LOT OF STATES RIGHTS ISSUES, INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY ISSUES AND THESE THINGS COMING UP.

ARE THOSE TRUMPING PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS RIGHT NOW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACK.

THE PROHIBITION OF MASKS AND NOT HAVING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO GET EVERYBODY VACCINATED IS REALLY HOLDING US BACK, AND THE VACCINE, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THE VACCINE IS GOING TO -- A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE IT HASN'T BEEN -- FULLY OKAYED BY THE FDA YET.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT AROUND THE WORLD, ALMOST A HALF A BILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AROUND THE WORLD.

THERE HAVE BEEN FEW VERIFIED DEATHS FROM THE VACCINATION.

AND THERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS THAT ARE NOT VERY -- NOT TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS, IN CASES WHERE SIDE EFFECTS HAVE COME UP, THEY STOPPED USING THE VACCINE.

THE FACT THAT THE FDA HAS NOT FULLY LICENSED THESE VACCINES YET IS DUE TO THE PROCESS OF THE FDA.

THEY ARE A SLOW AND DELIBERATE PROCESS, THEY SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT THE SLOW AND DELIBERATE PROCESS TAKES PLACE, BECAUSE IT PROTECTS US FROM BAD DRUGS.

WE SUSPECT THAT THE FDA WILL APPROVE BOTH MODERNA AND THE PFIZER BioNTech VEHICLESENE BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH.

THIS IS BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS AND PROVEN WHAT THEY WANT.

IT'S NOT TAKING A LONG TIME BECAUSE THEY DON'T TRUST IT.

IT'S TAKING A LONG TIME BECAUSE OF -- TED: RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

LAST QUESTION HERE.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC, ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS WITHOUT ANOTHER GREEK LETTER COMING AROUND THE PIKE AND BEING A MUCH STRONGER AND MORE VIRULENT VIRUS, IF YOU WILL?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING THE EXPERIMENT RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE LENGTH THE VIRUS RUN RAMPANTLY THROUGH THE UNVACCINATED POPULATION AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT.

CAN WE MAKE A GODZILLA VIRUS, ONE THAT IS WORSE THAN ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN YET?

I HOPE WE DON'T.

I HOPE THE VIRUS DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO MUTATE INTO A FORM LIKE THAT.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS, BUT IT MIGHT TAKE LONGER AND MIGHT BE MORE STUMBLING BLOCKS ALONG THE WAY, BUT I'M OPTIMISTIC WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS.

TED: DR. JAMES ALWINE, VISITING PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.

DOCTOR, GREAT CONVERSATION, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

.

TED: THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING IS CONDUCTING ITS ANNUAL ARIZONA HOUSING FORUM TO LOOK AT AMONG OTHER THINGS THE INCREASING CONCERNS OVER THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE AND HOW THAT ISSUE PLAYS INTO HOMELESSNESS.

WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATEHOUSING DEPARTMENT.

TOM, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND TALKING ABOUT THIS, THIS HOUSING FORUM IN TUCSON, AN ANNUAL FORUM, I TAKE IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, WE'VE BEEN HOLDING IT MANY YEARS EXCEPT FOR LAST YEAR, OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

TED: WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS THING?

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO FOCUS ON?

>> WE HAVE THREE TRACKS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSING FORUM, WE ADDED A HOMELESS TRACK SO THERE COULD BE A GOOD EXCHANGE OF BEST PRACTICES AND GOOD IDEAS AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND IT'S VIRTUAL SO WE HAVE FOLKS JOINING US FROM AROUND THE STATE, 100 PEOPLE JOINING US FROM AROUND THE STATE, IN ADDITION TO THE PEOPLE WITH US IN TUCSON.

TED: AGAIN, HOMELESSNESS IS AN ISSUE WE TALK A LOT ABOUT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," YOU TALK ABOUT BEST PRACTICES.

FRANKLY, ARE THERE BEST PRACTICES WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS?

>> BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE TYPE OF HOMELESS PERSON, THE BEST PRACTICES IS A GENERIC TERM.

WHAT MAY BE BEST PRACTICES FOR SOMEBODY NEEDING ADDICTION ISSUES IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN THE FAMILY WHO HAS BEEN EVICTED FROM THEIR APARTMENT AND LIVING IN THEIR CAR.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, THE SPECTRUM OF ROAMLESSNESS AND WE HAVE PRESENTERS FROM THE CITIES, THE COUNTIES, THE PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, SO WE ACTUALLY CAN LOOK AT HOW TO OFFER DIFFERENT SERVICES, DEPENDING UPON WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.

TED: I WOULD IMAGINE THE NEEDS CHANGE ESPECIALLY IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

THE BEST WAY TO KEEP SOMEBODY -- THE BEST WAY TO REHOUSE SOMEBODY IS ENSURE THEY NEVER LOST HOUSING.

THAT'S ALSO PART OF THE CONVERSATION IN TUCSON AS WELL.

>> I IMAGINE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS GOING TO GET A LOT OF PLAY DOWN THERE.

HOW SERIOUS IS THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IN ARIZONA AND THE VALLEY IN PARTICULAR?

>> DEPENDING WHICH STUDY YOU'RE LOOKING AT, WE'RE SHORT ABOUT 150,000 APARTMENT UNITS THROUGHOUT THE STATEMENT WE HAVE A SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUE, AND WE NEED TO OPEN UP BACK THE PIPELINE AND BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LUCKILY, WE'RE AT A VERY, VERY SPECIAL TIME RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE, WE BROUGHT ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER, MUCH MORE THAN I THINK HISTORICALLY EVER HAVE AND HAVE FUNDING IN ORDER TO DO SOMETHING, AND THAT TRULY IS A FIRST, TO BE ABLE TO RETHINK THE MODEL AND LOOK AT THOSE BEST PRACTICES THAT MAY WORK IN OTHER COMMUNITIES TO SEE IF THEY APPLY IN THE OTHER COMMUNITIES.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

TED: YEAH, AND IT'S INTERESTING, GOT TO WONDER HOW MUCH GOVERNMENT CAN DO IN SUCH A MARKET DRIVEN ENVIRONMENT, BECAUSE THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, WHAT CAN GOVERNMENT DO?

>> WELL, FOR STARTERS, WE HAVE HAD ONE TOOL IN PARTICULAR CALLED THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT, A FEDERAL LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT AND EVERY STATE USES THIS TOOL IN THE TOOL CHEST, AND THAT IS AN INCENTIVE FOR DEVELOPERS FOR PROFIT AND NOT FOR PROFIT TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP LOW, AFFORDABLE OR LOW-INCOME HOUSING, AND THE REASON WE NEED THOSE INCENTIVES ARE BECAUSE THE PROFIT MARGIN IS SO, SO SLIM THAT FOR MARKET RATE DEVELOPERS, THERE'S NOT AN INTEREST, SO THERE'S A VERY DISTINCT COMMUNITY OF DEVELOPERS WHO FOCUS ON NOT ONLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT WORKFORCE HOUSING, PERMANENT SUPPORT OF HOUSING, THERE IS A SPECTRUM OF VARIOUS HOUSING CHOICES AND NEEDS OUT THERE.

TED: WE TALKED ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ARE THERE OTHER HOUSING ISSUES THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE FORUM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE PRESENTING AN OVERVIEW OF THE ARP MONEY, THE FUNDS COMING INTO THE STATE.

THERE WILL LITERALLY BE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING INTO THE STATE THROUGH VARIOUS POLITICAL JURISDICTIONS OR GOVERNMENT JURISDICTIONS, EACH ONE WILL DECIDE HOW TO USE THEIR FUNDING TO BEST MEET THEIR NEEDS, AND THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, OF COURSE, WILL BE ALLOCATED QUITE A BIT OF FUNDING TO COVER THOSE AREAS OUTSIDE OF OUR MAJOR CITIES AND COUNTIES, SO IT WILL TAKE -- I HATE TO SAY, IT TAKES A TEAM EFFORT AND TAKES LEVERAGING EVERYBODY'S RESOURCES AND IDEAS.

TED: OKAY, DATE AND LOCATION FOR THIS HOUSING FORUM?

>> IN TUCSON AT THE J.W.

MARRIOTT RESORT, AND I MIGHT JUST ADD THAT RESORT WAS SELECTED BACK WHEN PRICES WERE VERY AFFORDABLE, AND BECAUSE WE HAVE 400 PEOPLE CONVENING FOR THIS CONFERENCE, WE NEEDED A SITE THAT WAS LARGE ENOUGH AND MEETING ALL DAY AUGUST 19 AND HALF THE DAY ON AUGUST 20.

TED: TOM SIMPLOT, ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, SIR, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

TED: AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON CRONKITE NEWS, THE CONSEQUENCES FACING ARIZONA SCHOOLS THAT DEFY THE STATE BAN ON MASK MANDATES.

>>> AND ON "BREAK IT DOWN," IS IT POSSIBLE TO ESCAPE FROM REALITY ANYMORE WHEN WATCHING TV SHOWS OR READING BOOKS?

.

>> WELCOME TO THE ARIZONA PBS STUDIOS, AND I HOPE THAT YOU ARE APPRECIATING "ARIZONA HORIZON" TONIGHT BECAUSE THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM, "ARIZONA HORIZON" IN PARTICULAR, IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE IT IS ARIZONA'S ONLY PROGRAM DEVOTED TO ARIZONA ISSUES SUCH AS THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE AND NATIONAL ISSUES THAT AFFECT ALL ARIZONANS.

SO IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS CONTINUE TO BE HERE ON ARIZONA PBS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU GIVE US A CALL DURING THIS TIME RIGHT NOW BECAUSE DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, ISN'T IT REASSURING THAT SHOWS LIKE "HORIZON" CAN TACKLE THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US?

WITH TED SIMONS AS AN AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST, HE'S GOING TO BE THERE TO ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE INTERVIEW, EVEN THOUGH THEY INCLUDE THE HARD QUESTIONS, IS CONDUCTED WITH CIVILITY AND RESPECT.

SO IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO HAVE A PLACE ON ARIZONA PBS, THIS PROGRAM IS WAITING FOR YOUR SUPPORT RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU MAKE THE CALL OR GO ONLINE, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEND YOU AN "ARIZONA HORIZON" COFFEE MUG WITH OUR THANKS, BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY THING YOU GET WHEN YOU SUPPORT "ARIZONA HORIZON."

YOU'LL GET THE GREAT FEELING KNOWING THAT YOU'RE MAKING SURE QUALITY JOURNALISM CONTINUES TO HAVE A HOME ON ARIZONA PBS BECAUSE REMEMBER, THE PROGRAMS YOU COUNT ON DO COUNT YOU ON, AND THANKS.