Collaboratively Working to Build an Equitable Future

Apr 4, 2026 | All News

April is Fair Housing Month, in celebration of when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act into law in April 1968. As we celebrate the 58th anniversary of this landmark act, we look at what it means for us as an affordable housing-focused business and for the nation, where access to safe, stable, and affordable housing remains a critical challenge nationwide.

Fair Housing Month offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come, the gaps that still remain, and the innovative ways Gorman & Company is making housing more equitable for all. Over the next few weeks, we’ll cover affordable housing topics and explain how each reinforces equality.

  • Compliance
  • ADA Senior Housing, Individuals with Disabilities (IDD), and Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
  • Parnterships
  • Workforce Housing

Our Housing Shortage

Currently, there is an estimated housing shortage of 4-8 million units nationwide. This results from decades of underbuilding combined with surging demand. For every 100 families in the United States needing affordable housing, there are only 35 units available.

Owning or renting a home is out of reach for many Americans, a reality that has driven Gorman & Company throughout its 40-year history to help change.

Without affordable and sustainable housing, the quality of life in health, education, employment, and long-term stability suffers. The Fair Housing Act established critical protections against housing discrimination, setting an equal legal standard for a fundamental need.

However, laws alone don’t create outcomes. The real measure of fair housing happens every day in every neighborhood. At Gorman & Company, we ask the following question: Can people find and sustain housing that allows them to live with dignity and stability? Unfortunately, in many communities, the answer is no. That’s where Gorman partners with local, state, and federal leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors to help close the gap to affordable and permanent supportive housing.

Thinking About Impacts

We encourage shifting the focus from access to measurable impact. This means viewing housing from other lenses.

  • Housing that people can afford long-term
  • Services that support overall stability
  • Housing that revitalizes communities

A recent example of permanent supportive housing is Amazon Flats in Tucson, Arizona.

This development, which is currently under construction, will bring nearly 90 affordable housing units to Tucson, serving individuals and families earning below 50% of Area Median Income, with some designated for those earning under 30% of AMI.

It will feature shared amenities, including a community room, a public plaza, and a resident yard, which will help improve the quality of life for residents. The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona will work with local artists to commission murals, mosaics, and sculptures for the site. Local artists will design and create artwork of cultural and historical themes to help establish Amazon Flats as a community rooted in shared culture and a home that residents take pride in.

“The Amazon Flats will help us create more permanent supportive housing to help families find stability and change lives.

Regina Romero, Tucson Mayor and city project partner

Projects like Amazon Flats are part of a broader effort to address housing challenges more comprehensively. It requires coordination, investment, and a long-term view. One of our proven methods for effective permanent supportive housing is partnerships with local, state, and federal municipalities and nonprofits.

There is much to celebrate during Fair Housing Month, and we will look at some of the properties making a difference in the communities they serve.