This memorandum analyzed fourteen mapping efforts that have taken place in the past decades, or that are ongoing. About half of these initiatives created data that is useful for a basemap for regional bio-planning purposes. Analysis provides advice about how future research and mapping initiatives within Pima County can gather data in a more effective manner.

The study finds that if minority families owned homes at the same rate as whites of a similar age and income, there would be an additional 3.5 million homeowners today. A major factor contributing to this gap is that minority and lower income famimlies experience continuing, and in many cases growing, inequalities in obtaining the financing necessary to purchase a home.