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Solutions in Action
- Valerie Lane
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Building Community
Empowering people around the construction of
Small-Scale Housing for a Sustainable Tucson
It has been an exciting summer at UIP, with plenty of progress to share. While the days usually feel slow...and insatiably HOT... the last few months have been full of growth, activity, and community connection.
First up: we moved! UIP is now working out of the historic Brings Funeral Home, right in the heart of Downtown Tucson. We love our new space—the office is bright, the views are expansive, and being together in one location has energized our team. With everyone under one roof, our ability to serve, exchange ideas, dream big, and innovate for our community has never been stronger.
We have room to grow in our new space, and until we fill all the desks, we are searching for people in need of work space - whether it’s just for a short stint or a few months. We'd love to support other small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to grow alongside us. If you or someone you know could benefit, please reach out for more details!
We’re also excited to introduce the newest member of our team, Izabel Quezada. As our intern, Izabel will be the first point of contact for our customers and is already making an impact, managing our social media outreach and serving as our in-house photographer. Izabel is a fourth-year architecture student at the UofA and brings energy, organization, and fresh perspective to UIP. We are thrilled to have her on board!
In construction news: We have our first Desert Casita well underway and just added photos of the progress to our portfolio page. The Desert Casita is the newest addition to our Plan Library and is designed by our talented friends Kelsi Montgomery and Eric Nickerson. We're loving this new design, and so are our clients! Collaborating with other architects to bring their visions to life is one of our favorite things about what we do. If you or someone you know is interested in partnering with us or learning more about how we collaborate, please let us know.
Please check out our website as we continue to evolve and grow.
Our portfolio page now showcases updated photos of two different Roost models - both looking as handsome as ever!
Our ADU resource page is home to our growing referral network of lenders, builders, subcontractors, and more.
We continue to keep our FAQ sheet up-to-date - it’s the go-to resource for answering many of the most common questions about building ADUs.
Our new consultation feature is actively assisting customers, providing direct access to our expertise, and helping people navigate the new construction journey. We're excited to share that we also offer direct permitting assistance through UIP. These tools provide smoother project approvals and ease through permitting and building processes.
Local Planning Development: Pima County is due for a zoning change that will include ADUs! A new house bill came down the pipeline, laying out requirements for county code amendments to include ADU construction. This will go into effect in January 2026.
UIP's commitment: Leading with a Solutions Mindset:
At The Urban Infill Project, our commitment is to Tucson’s community—homeowners, small-scale builders, entrepreneurs, and local investors. We’re here to support real solutions to our city’s challenges by empowering people to bolster the construction industry around ADUs. We provide tools, guidance, and clarity so our community members can take the lead in creating affordable, flexible housing. We answer questions, share knowledge, and lay out clear pathways, giving people the access and confidence they need to make informed choices.
What is a Solutions Mindset?
A solutions mindset is about focusing on possibilities, not just problems. It means approaching complex situations with curiosity, creativity, and determination—seeing setbacks as chances to innovate and collaborate. We continually ask: What can we do? Who can we partner with? How can we move forward together?
Why It Matters to UIP
In our work, the issues facing our communities are multi-faceted—affordability, neighborhood vitality, community health and wellness, environmental stewardship, and local investment all intersect in ways that resist simple answers. The solutions mindset helps us rise above gridlock or frustration. It encourages us to listen deeply, engage respectfully, and build pathways—sometimes unconventional ones—to real change.
For UIP, this value means:
Collaboration over confrontation. We work alongside homeowners, city officials, builders, and neighbors to find common ground and shared benefits.
Practical optimism. We recognize the challenges in our city, and we bring energy, open-mindedness, and creativity to the table.
Continuous learning. Every project is a chance to refine our approach, stay agile, and improve outcomes for everyone involved.
Why It Matters Now
While the broader climate around us is often focused on divisions or limitations, UIP stands firm in the belief that progress is possible when we prioritize solutions and the power of our relationships. We don’t ignore real issues, but we refuse to be defined by them. Our focus is on actionable steps, positive partnerships, and a commitment to being honest and helpful.
Our Commitment
Our approach to our work using a Solutions Mindset shapes our company culture, our partnerships, and our daily choices. It keeps us future-focused and helps us serve as a trusted resource for those seeking to create lasting value in their communities. We know that when we focus on solutions, we help create the conditions necessary for real, resilient change.
Calls to Action:
Investing a little time in getting to know how our city and communities operate can go a long way toward understanding how change happens. As residents of Tucson and surrounding areas, we all have the ability to contribute in small and meaningful ways.
Connect With Your Neighbors: Start a conversation about housing needs and creative solutions in your neighborhood. Strong communities are built on open dialogue and shared goals. Invite neighbors over for coffee or a casual backyard gathering to discuss shared housing concerns and brainstorm small, practical steps your block can take together.
Attend a City Planning Meeting: Show up at a city council or planning commission meeting where housing or zoning is being discussed. Bring your perspective and listen for ways you can contribute or support constructive ideas. Meeting times and agendas are always available online.
Volunteer for a Local Housing Organization: Lend your skills—whether it’s organizing, design, outreach, or hands-on help—to a Tucson nonprofit working on affordable housing, home repair, or community revitalization projects. There are also several organizations volunteering to help provide resources to the unhoused population - there is no better way to understand that we are not in this alone. The welfare of all of our people matters.
Start a Community Resource Exchange: Organize a tool library, shared materials board, or neighborhood email list where residents can offer and request help, information, or resources related to home improvement and small-scale building.
Check out Facebook's "Buy Nothing Tucson" groups - these are organized by area / neighborhood and are hyper-local gift economies where neighbors give, share, lend, and express gratitude. You can post items you want to give away or ask for things you need. Everything is free.
Journal question: What is a challenge facing my immediate community right now?
What unique qualities, skills, or perspectives do I have that could help contribute to a solution? How might I offer these strengths to support positive change?
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