Officials have broken ground on a 60-unit affordable housing community for seniors in Phoenix. The development is expected to be completed in winter 2024.
The four-story property will include a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments for residents earning between 20% and 60% of the area median income, about $13,100 to $39,300 for a one-person household.
“Not only are we thrilled to begin our first initiative in Arizona, but we couldn’t be prouder to help create high-quality, affordable housing to ensure seniors aren’t priced out of their homes and can age in place comfortably,” said Shannon Cox Baker, regional vice president at Pennrose, which is developing the project with Butler Housing Co.
Garfield Housing Phase II is part of Pennrose’s strategic Mountain expansion, which also includes Colorado and Utah. Earlier this year, the firm, which has had a big presence on the East Coast, broke ground on a 56-unit supportive housing development for young adults 18 to 24 in Denver.
A focus of the new Arizona community will be on providing tailored supportive services for seniors. The Greater Phoenix Urban League, a local social service nonprofit, will be the on-site supportive service coordinator and plans to provide social, health, and educational programming to ensure seniors can age in place comfortably.
Residents will also benefit from being in close proximity to nearby services, retail, health care options, and employment centers.
“This affordable housing project for seniors is the result of over 20 years of planning between the development team, the city of Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Housing, and the Garfield Organization for the former Sacred Heart Home for the Aged Campus,” said Reid Butler, president and owner of Butler Housing. “The initial housing project back in 2012-2014 was Garfield Commons, with 100 affordable apartments for veterans located within the historic Sacred Heart building.”
He noted that he’s pleased to have Pennrose take the lead on the development of Garfield Housing Phase II as well as the future Garfield Housing Phase III project, which will bring an additional 60 affordable homes for seniors.
Property management will be provided by Dunlap & Magee, the architect is Dekker Perich Sabatini, and W.E. O’Neil is the general contractor.
Financing for the $28 million development includes low-income housing tax credit equity and a construction loan from Bank of America, a permanent loan from Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, and a HOME loan from the city of Phoenix. In addition, Congressman Ruben Gallego's office has also supported $500,000 in congressional program funds to the development.
