Pima County Supervisors approve funding for low-income housing

Pima County, (Aug. 21, 2024) – The Pima County Board of Supervisors at its Aug. 19 meeting approved by a 4-1 vote $1 million in gap funding for 72 apartment housing units in Tucson.
Specifically, the project will provide housing for low-income older adults, with 22 units designated for homeless individuals with support services offered by the Primavera Foundation. The three-story building, located on 22nd Street west of Columbus Boulevard, will feature solar panels that are expected to provide electricity for all tenants and common areas. Those utility costs will be included in the rent.

All funding has been identified for the project, which will cost approximately $27.86 million. Pima County’s funding is less than 4% of the total project costs. County funding will be used to cover funding gaps in development and construction costs necessary to complete the project.

According to the developer, Belvedere Terrace LP, rents will be tied to the Area Median Income (AMI), which is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development low-income table based on local area income and household size. For example, an individual earning approximately $25,000 annually is 40% of the AMI. These income charts are released annually.

“This project, focused on our elderly in Pima County, shows our Board of Supervisors’ and our community’s commitment to supporting our most vulnerable, especially those experiencing homelessness,” said Sofia Blue, division manager for affordable housing for the County’s Community & Workforce Development Department. “The need is much greater, but we continue to make significant progress in increasing the supply of affordable housing.”

The project is part of a larger effort by the Board of Supervisors to address the availability of affordable housing in the region. At its Aug. 13 meeting, the Board approved funding for a comprehensive housing market study and charrette (collaborative planning process) to address affordable housing options.

At that meeting, the Board also approved accepting a $1 million grant from the Arizona Department of Housing for a Rapid Rehousing Program focused on homeless families. The funding will offer up to 120 units of bridge housing for families experiencing homelessness.

The gap funding follows recommendations from the Pima County Regional Affordable Housing Commission, established by the Board of Supervisors in October 2022. At a minimum, the spending targets individuals at 80% AMI or less and establishes a 30-year affordability period.

In June 2023, the board approved two proposals totaling $2.625 million to preserve 203 affordable rental units, including $500,000 of rehab and preservation of 96 affordable rental units at the Talavera Apartments. This project, completed via Family Housing Resources, celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 20.

The latest contract was part of the second round of Regional Affordable Housing Commission recommendations. In February, the board approved $6.875 million for eight projects, allowing the County to enter into contract negotiations with the vendors. The eight projects in this gap funding will preserve or develop 835 affordable housing units, including the development of the Desert Dove Apartments in the Midvale Park area.

Groundbreaking on this 64-unit Desert Dove Apartment Complex will be held Sept. 23.