Old Pueblo Community Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Established in 1996, Old Pueblo Community Services has delivered housing and support services for people facing homelessness in Pima County. The organization serves various populations, including families, veterans, youth, individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, and those reentering the community post-incarceration. Services are underpinned by a "Housing First" approach, which provides stable housing as a foundation for addressing additional needs such as mental health, addiction, medical care, income, and education.OPCS currently manages a range of housing models, including bridge, shelter, transitional, and permanent housing. Additional services include substance abuse counseling and life skills programming for both veteran and non-veteran clients.
- Income
- $12.1 million
- Spending
- $10.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- -1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 90%
- Employees
- 139
- Volunteers
- 111
- Highest pay
- $169,746, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 47% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $2.4 million spent. Reentry Program: Each year, approximately 13,000 prisoners are released in Arizona, with about 2,000 returning to Pima County. This program assists formerly incarcerated individuals with housing, counseling, substance abuse treatment, and employment support, aiming to reduce recidivism. In the last fiscal year, 116 individuals were served. The program is primarily funded by government sources, with the OPCS Home Fund covering costs for those not eligible for such support.
- $1.2 million spent. Veteran Recovery Communities Program: This program partners with the Veterans Administration, the City of Tucson, and other organizations to provide housing and support for veterans experiencing homelessness, including individuals with PTSD, substance abuse issues, mental illness, or a criminal justice history. In 2024, the program served 341 veterans across five communities and began construction on 18 additional studio units.
- $3.0 million spent. Supportive Housing Program: This initiative provides long-term supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, removing barriers related to pets, partners, and active addictions. Once housed, clients access healthcare, case management, support groups, and other resources to increase independence and decrease service needs over time. Last fiscal year, the program managed over 500 scattered-site units and expanded to include referrals through AHCCCS to address serious mental illness. Casa Amparo and Casa del Pueblo Shelter: This year, OPCS launched its first low-barrier congregate shelter for men and women, along with a low-barrier shelter for families. Combined, these facilities can serve up to 58 individuals and offer case management, housing navigation, employment coaching, outpatient behavioral health services, food, and transportation.Homeless Work Program: Initiated in December 2016, this program aims to employ individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and connect them with housing, health services, job training, and permanent employment. The program includes casual daily labor with cash compensation for work performed by homeless individuals, both sheltered and unsheltered. To date, over 1,500 participants have collectively removed more than 900,000 pounds of waste and cleaned more than 500 sites and 600 miles of roadway. OPCS Home Fund: This fund covers occupancy costs for clients who do not qualify for government-funded programs until they attain income. It also covers rental application fees, deposits for Section 8 housing, and urgent needs that prevent housing or employment. In the past year, nearly 300 households were assisted. The fund is supported by community grants and donations via the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit.Outreach: OPCS provides outreach services to individuals living unsheltered, delivering case management and assistance moving into housing. In the reporting year, 198 people enrolled in the formal outreach program, receiving support toward stable housing. The newly formed QT outreach team, funded by a contract with QT, monitors and supports homeless individuals near QT stores. This represents the first outreach effort fully funded by a local business, with goals of assisting vulnerable populations and enhancing safety and commerce in these areas.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.