Title
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Project-Based Vouchers for Deck Park Vista and Choice Neighborhoods Update (Ordinance S-47147)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to allocate 75 Section 8 project-based vouchers to the Deck Park Vista redevelopment project's ownership entity, to serve as Choice Neighborhoods off-site replacement units, and enter into any related contracts or agreements. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
In 2018, the Housing Department was awarded a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods (CN) Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revitalize the Edison-Eastlake Community (EEC), an area with the largest concentration of public housing in the state. The six-year comprehensive community-driven implementation will transform the EEC into a vibrant mixed-income neighborhood, linking housing redevelopment with new amenities, upgraded infrastructure, neighborhood economic growth and social services. CN grant funds provide for the redevelopment of 577 obsolete public housing units into 1,011 mixed-income, energy efficient modern housing units.
Implementation progress to date includes:
- Soluna Apartments, Phase 1 of housing development, is under construction. Soluna has 177 mixed-income, one to five-bedroom units, and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2021.
- Demolition of Frank Luke Homes, a 230-unit public housing property built in 1941, has begun. The Frank Luke Homes site will be redeveloped into Harmony at the Park, 310 units of mixed-income multi-family rental housing. New development will also include 39 homeownership townhomes adjacent to a new linear park. Harmony at the Park is scheduled for completion in December 2022.
- A new Edison Park Activity Hub has been constructed, providing a large shaded stage, electricity, a grassy area, and three custom ramadas for hosting events. Vibrant colors and art are incorporated in the design. The grand opening will occur in December 2020.
- A new HAWK pedestrian crossing at 18th Street and Roosevelt was completed by the Street Transportation Department in June 2020.
- The Imperial Apartments, a Lafferty Development project, began construction in February. The project will add 140 units of workforce housing to the EEC and will be completed in January 2021.
- The Aeroterra Community Center was designated by HUD as the first EnVision Center in Arizona. The EnVision Center offers all community residents a centralized hub to receive support from partnering organizations in economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness, and character and leadership.
- Housing completed the acquisition, received historic designation, and rezoned the historic Crippled Children’s Hospital. Adaptive reuse of this historic building will create the Edison Impact Hub, providing residents with walk-in services for health care, behavioral health, small business assistance, and access to other non-profit service providers.
As part of the Choice Neighborhoods application to HUD, the Housing Department is required to provide 150 off-site Section 8 project-based voucher units in areas of opportunity for Choice Neighborhoods residents who may choose to relocate to other areas of the city. The Housing Department is proposing to allocate 75 vouchers from this pool of 150 to Deck Park Vista, a redevelopment project previously approved by City Council. Deck Park Vista will provide 216 new affordable and workforce housing units at 1125 N. 3rd St. This location meets all site and neighborhood standards for an area of opportunity and will provide a relocation option for Choice Neighborhoods residents who may be interested in residing in the downtown core.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. Section 8 is a federally funded program.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On April 17, 2019, the City Council approved the request to issue the Request for Proposals for the Deck Park Vista redevelopment project. On June 24, 2020, the City Council approved the award for the redevelopment of Deck Park Vista Apartments. On Nov. 18, 2020, the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee recommended approval for 75 Section 8 project-based vouchers at Deck Park Vista, with a vote of 4-0.
Location
Deck Park Vista, 1125 N. 3rd St.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Housing Department.