First Workforce Housing Breaks Ground in Phoenix

Sept. 26, 2001

The city of Phoenix broke ground today on a 302-unit workforce-housing complex at Second Avenue and Jackson Street. Campaige Place on Jackson is a single room occupancy (SRO) project designed to provide a quality living environment for hourly wage earners working in nearby office buildings, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other businesses.

"To make a downtown really thrive, you need thriving businesses," said Tom Hom Group president Will Newbern. "Those businesses need workers and those workers need affordable places to live, close to work, without expensive commutes."

THG, the developer for this project, is a San Diego based company specializing in building and operating SRO housing developments.

Campaige Place on Jackson targets singles working in downtown Phoenix in jobs such as store clerk, kitchen worker or food server, and even recent college graduates just starting out.

Of the 302 units in Campaige Place, 245 will be reserved for tenants with an annual income below 60 percent of the median income level, or $23,060. The rest of the rooms will be available at market value.

When completed in spring 2003, tenants will have their choice of six floor plans. Each unit will be furnished and features a kitchen with stove, microwave oven, garbage disposal and refrigerator; full-bath; color television with cable and HBO; telephone; housekeeping service and weekly linen change.

These amenities plus all utilities are included in the rent. Additionally, the facility will offer a mini-mart, 24-hour front desk, monitored access, on-site laundry, workout room, an Internet library with e-mail access, garden patio and rooftop decks.

Although the complex will include underground parking, the SRO complex is situated to make it easier for residents to use public transportation to and from work, thus saving money on car payments and gasoline.

"Campaige Place is a step toward filling the need for a comfortable home for service industry workers who would otherwise have a hard time affording a safe, convenient place to live in the downtown area," said city of Phoenix Housing Director Manny Gonzalez.

The Campaige Place project will cost $17 million and is financed with a combination of tax credits and private activity bonds issued by the state of Arizona.

Media Contact:

Tom Tirone David Ramirez Will Newbern

602-262-6180 602-262-6181 619-247-2088