Tempe’s long‑awaited 104‑unit affordable housing project finally opens

PHOENIX — La Victoria Commons, Tempe’s newest affordable housing apartment community, is now open.

The project was 20 years in the making after the city purchased the land on the northeast corner of Apache Boulevard and Price Road in 2006.

Mesa-based nonprofit Copa Health developed 104 affordable apartments that are now available for leasing. Rents for one‑bedroom units start below $1,000 for income‑qualified tenants. There are also units with two and three bedrooms.

La Victoria Commons prioritizes affordable rent for those in need

The apartments are for moderate- and middle‑income households. For example, a two‑person household earning around $45,000 a year or a four‑person household earning about $56,000 would qualify to move in.

Potential renters should fill out an online interest form to start the application process.

Additionally, Tempe-based nonprofit Newtown CDC is developing 19 affordable townhouses for the community. The townhouses will be up for sale this summer at below-market prices.

Beyond keeping prices accessible, the community offers several perks that further support residents.

Looking for affordable housing in Tempe? This option is unique

Copa Health will provide on‑site wraparound services, including a clinic, to apartment residents, townhome owners and the surrounding neighborhood. The clinic for primary and behavioral health services — along with a café — is set to open later this spring.

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods thanked development and community partners Copa Health, Newtown CDC and Rail CDC for their work bringing the long‑awaited La Victoria Commons to life.

“La Victoria Commons checks all the boxes in terms of offering diverse housing opportunities and enhancing the overall health and well-being of our residents,” Woods said in a recent press release. “We look forward to welcoming families, young professionals, older adults, new ASU graduates and others to this dynamic community.”

Unique financing helped La Victoria Commons open for business

In April 2024, the Tempe City Council approved leases following a development agreement reached the previous year with Copa Health and Newtown Community Development Corporation. Under that agreement, the organizations committed to leasing and developing the property.

Arizona Department of Housing also played a key role in getting this project off the ground. ADOH Director Ruby Dhillon‑Williams said the project was made possible by a unique combination of tax credits, marking the first time a development in Arizona has been financed this way.

“ADOH is proud to fund $32 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to this project bringing 104 new affordable homes to Tempe,” Dhillon-Williams said. “La Victoria Commons came together through a first-of-its-kind hybrid or ‘twinning’ model with the state utilizing both 9% and 4% tax credits to help bring this new affordable housing option to fruition.”

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