Paul Atkinson/KJZZ

Tom Simplot in the KJZZ studio in 2006.

Gov. Doug Ducey has named former Phoenix City Councilman Tom Simplot the new director of the Arizona Department of Housing; the appointment is effective immediately.

Simplot has also served as head of the Arizona Multihousing Association, which represents the apartment industry, and he most recently served as an official with the National Endowment for the Arts.

In addition to the new job, Simplot will also have more than half a billion new dollars to work with; the governor says the money — from various federal sources — will be used in areas including emergency rental and mortgage assistance and producing more affordable housing.

The Show spoke with Simplot about what he thinks are the biggest challenges he and his department are facing.

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