The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved $3.1 million in funding for the construction of two affordable housing projects on Broadway Road between 7th and Central Avenues in Phoenix. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is part of a larger strategy Maricopa County leaders have been deploying to contribute a wide range of housing solutions in response to the Valley’s housing shortage.
“As we allocate money, we are looking at barriers to home ownership and the rentals in this tight housing market,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, District 3. “We are helping developers construct affordable housing in the metro area where people need it most and we have plans to connect people to that housing as it nears completion.”
Both projects are being developed in the same neighborhood through a partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa led by the Maricopa County Human Services Department.
6th Avenue Townhomes: $1.5 Million
To encourage homeownership, $1.5 million in funding will be used to construct 74 townhomes on a vacant parcel located on the northeast corner of 6th Avenue and Broadway Road in Phoenix. The 5.3-acre site will develop into a pedestrian-friendly community that will incorporate features to encourage walking, biking, and outdoor enjoyment. These amenities include:
- Shade trees, benches, and lighting
- Walking paths
- Open space and gathering areas
- A bicycle repair station and bicycle racks
Homeownership opportunities and down payment assistance will be available to applicants who have a household income of 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
3rd Avenue Apartments – $1.6 Million
Just a few blocks east of the townhome development at 316 W. Broadway Rd. is the future site of ‘Pueblo Apartments,’ a 161-unit affordable rental community. The 4.2-acre site will include a mix of units to accommodate families of all sizes. Available sizes include:
- (10) Studio units, each at 450 sq. ft.
- (26) One-bedroom units, each at 603 sq. ft.
- (86) Two-bedroom units, each at 869 sq. ft.
- (39) Three-bedroom units, each at 1,130 sq. ft.
The rental units will be reserved for households earning at or below 60% of the AMI. Amenities on site for resident use will include:
- A business center and clubhouse
- Central laundry facilities
- Outdoor fitness equipment
- Picnic areas, playground, and a splash pad
Throughout the past year, Maricopa County has funded a variety of new affordable housing developments, increased options for people exiting homelessness as well as expanding the capacity of existing systems to help people recover from the effects of the pandemic, including:
- Delivering more than $125 million in emergency rental, utility and legal assistance to help prevent evictions
- Adding more than 350 permanent beds to the regional sheltering system
- Providing up to 200 beds for heat relief from May through October 31
- Growing the stock of affordable rental housing by more than 1,000 new units
- Facilitating homeownership with down payment assistance for 140 future low-income buyers
- Increasing the number of newly constructed affordable single-family homes by 128
For more information on the assistance that is available and making a positive impact for people in Maricopa County, visit Maricopa.gov/Rescue.
