May 25, 2012

A permanent, affordable supportive housing community opened last week in Phoenix for the second month in a row, and officials commend the progress being made in the fight against homelessness in our city.

“While there is much more work to do, I’m encouraged by the progress we’re seeing,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “Fighting homelessness is one of my priorities. Just one person living on the streets is one too many. Arizona Housing Inc. and its partners are making such a positive contribution to our community.”

On May 16, officials dedicated North 17 Apartments in Sunnyslope, located at 9601 N. 17th Ave.  North 17 includes 72 renovated units to serve low-income and previously homeless individuals and families who are striving to permanently end their struggles with homelessness. Arizona Housing Inc. (AHI) acquired the property with more than $6 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds through the Arizona Department of Housing and $900,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program, and partnered with Foundation for Senior Living to oversee the renovation. 

Local company Dunlap& Magee provides around-the-clock property management services. On-site staffs from Community Bridges and AHI help residents access community resources and support services, and Central Arizona Shelter Services’ Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter provides an innovative after-school program.

“Homelessness is a complex issue, and I believe that forming these types of partnerships between the public and private sectors is an effective approach,” said Councilman Daniel Valenzuela, chairman of the city’s Neighborhoods, Planning and Development, Housing & Homeless Subcommittee. “Good progress is being made, and we want this momentum to continue.”

On April 18, City Councilwoman Thelda Williams, the city of Phoenix Housing Department and representatives from AHI, Central Arizona Shelter Services, and Valley of the Sun United Way celebrated the ribbon-cutting for Collins Court Apartments, a renovated property providing 80 new units of permanent, affordable supportive housing for homeless individuals. Collins Court is located at 10421 N. 33rd Ave., close to desired jobs and services, including Valley Metro bus routes and Metrocenter Mall. The Phoenix Housing Department provided a $3.8 million loan from the city’s NSP funds to AHI, which helped the non-profit acquire the foreclosed, crime-infested and blighted multi-family community and renovate it.

Other projects in the pipeline include:

• 209 East Jackson, which will provide 300 efficiency units for homeless individuals, including chronically homeless.  Funded by the Maricopa County and Arizona Department of Housing NSP programs, renovations for this property are scheduled for completion in winter 2012.
• In January, the city of Phoenix, Arizona Department of Housing and Native American Connections broke ground for Encanto Pointe, at 4175 N. Ninth St. Encanto Pointe will offer 54 units to homeless individuals through the Housing First model, which has a primary focus on helping the area’s homeless find permanent, supportive housing.
• In February, officials broke ground for Madison Pointe Apartment Homes, at 4150 N. Ninth St., across the street from Encanto Pointe. When complete, Madison Pointe will be a 60-unit, affordable apartment community serving households at or below 40 to 60 percent Area Median Income, with several units dedicated to veterans and their families.

Valley of the Sun United Way also is lending its leadership and funding for these important initiatives to end homelessness in our community.
 

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