Maricopa County Unveils Plans for Two Housing Initiatives Aimed at Assisting Homeless Population

Photo Credit: Maricopa County

Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix announced two initiatives to assist the homeless in obtaining housing.

On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors granted the appropriation of $10 million for housing.

Funds will be used to transform a hotel into rental residences for seniors who have no place to live. In addition, a new rental community will be created to support low-income individuals and households.

Clint Hickman, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in District 4, remarked that the funding will be used to benefit the community, ensuring that seniors will have a place to live and families will be able to manage living expenses in the County’s most populous city.

A sum of $5 million has been allocated to a project that will convert a 125-room hotel located close to Interstate 17 and Northern Avenue into affordable rental housing units. These dwellings are intended to help those over the age of 55 overcome homelessness.

Forty units will be available. Residents will also be offered assistance on-site, and be given the chance to gain employment and acquire career training.

The remaining $5 million will be utilized to construct a cost-effective rental housing community called Horizon on Villa in the Edison Park vicinity at 20th Street and Roosevelt. It will include 109 units and provide free Wi-Fi for its renters, as well as other services.

Residents will be able to benefit from services such as obtaining a GED and ESL classes, job expos, Head Start for kids, after-class activities, and connections to house ownership and wellbeing initiatives.

Funding for these endeavors has been acquired from the Maricopa County’s portion of the funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Supervisor Steve Gallardo of District 5 enthusiastically expressed his support for the project, noting, “We’re able to deploy our powers and funds to improve the quality of living for families and senior citizens looking for cheaper housing. This is a major development for our neighborhood and it’s all happening now.” He continued, “This housing will have a significant impact on people’s lives and I’m honored to be a part of it.”