Arizona Health Care Leaders Addressing Social Determinants of Health
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Arizona healthcare leaders have joined forces to increase affordable housing in the state because they have something in common: they believe housing is good healthcare, saves lives and saves the state money. The Home Matters Arizona Fund is planning a $100 million fund over two years to finance affordable housing projects in Arizona. It is announcing a third round of grant recipients that will receive a total of $851,000.
“Home Matters to Arizona is looking to tackle affordable housing firsthand, adding critical units to address the housing crisis as well as connecting developers with other community based providers to address systemic issues,” said Jim Stringham, VP/CEO of Banner University Health Plans, and Home Matters Arizona Fund Chair. “Arizona’s health care leaders are attracted to this movement because one of the biggest determinants in health outcomes is having a safe place to live. Individuals without affordable housing are more likely than others to sacrifice necessities like healthy food and healthcare.”
Home Matters Arizona Fund is prioritizing and funding promising projects throughout the state that are positioned to demonstrate measurable and positive outcomes focused on specific populations, geographic areas and the community at-large. The fund addresses Arizona’s rising affordability crisis while paying much-needed attention to the role of housing justice for underrepresented families and communities.
The Home Matters Arizona Fund is born from a collaboration of the Arizona Association of Health Plans, whose member companies contract with the State’s Medicaid program to serve the health care needs of Arizona’s most vulnerable citizens. Founding Home Matters Arizona Fund participants include Arizona Complete Health, Banner – University Health Plan, Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Health Choice Arizona, Magellan Complete Care of Arizona, Mercy Care, The NARBHA Institute and UnitedHealthcare.
Home Matters Arizona Fund will invest in projects that serve individuals and families with low to moderate income, veterans, seniors, people who are homeless, people with disabilities, individuals involved with the justice system and those eligible for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) support.
The fund’s third round of award recipients: Native American Connections for the 217-unit The Moreland in Phoenix and Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona, Inc., for the 44-unit JoJo’s Place in Flagstaff.
Native American Connections (The Moreland)
1125 N. 3rd St. Phoenix
Total Development Cost: $51.6 million
Grant Amount: $500,000
Units: 217
Construction is expected to begin December 2021
Native American Connections is redeveloping the City of Phoenix’s Deck Park Vista Apartment Community. Collectively, the City of Phoenix and Native American Connections have created a redevelopment plan for the site that will ensure long-term quality affordable housing wrapped with supportive services for many decades to come. Native American Connections is the lead developer, property manager and services provider for the project.
When completed in April 2023, The Moreland will include a 217-unit mixed income and mixed-use rental community consisting of 65 studios, 95 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom, and 15 three-bedroom units, community and public outdoor art spaces. The project will have a secure interior courtyard, community room, fitness center and outdoor barbeque area. A key aspect of the project is including community wide Wi-Fi access to address the digital divide experienced by low-income families with children. By ensuring connectivity, the future residents will be able to better advance their educational outcomes and expand their telehealth capabilities in the future.
Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona, Inc. (JoJo’s Place)
2918 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff
Total Development Cost: $5.85 million
Grant Amount: $351,000
Units: 44
Construction is expected to begin November 2021
Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona is rehabilitating an existing 44-unit motel property with kitchenettes and other improvements. Once renovation is complete, the studio apartments will provide transitional housing resources for households experiencing homelessness. Rent will be based on household income to ensure affordability.
Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona is partnering with Catholic Charities Community Services to offer on-site housing case management services to residents, helping them to identify permanent housing resources and move from JoJo’s Place into affordable permanent housing.
Plans call for working with the Flagstaff Family Food Center and the Guidance Center to provide on-site food box delivery and mental health case management services to meet the immediate health needs of residents. JoJo’s Place is located adjacent to a high frequency bus stop, providing convenient transportation options for residents who do not own a vehicle. Also nearby are a grocery store, North Country Health Center, Native American’s for Community
Action Wellness Center, the Public Library, schools, the City of Flagstaff Hal Jensen Recreation Center, banking resources and parks.
The fund seeks projects that align with the values established by the Home Matters national movement, which is redefining what home and the American Dream mean.