Maricopa County approves $10.7M in affordable housing projects

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved $10.7 million in funding for two affordable housing projects for low-income seniors and families in the area.

The funding — made available through the American Rescue Plan Act — will add 144 units in Glendale designed for those ages 55 and over who are leaving homelessness or have low incomes, according to a press release.

Over in the East Valley, the county is working to acquire four rental units in Mesa that will serve low income families at or below 60% of the area median income.

The resources will go toward making a newly constructed u-shaped building with about 115 off-street parking spots, as well as interior paint and drywall repairs, plumbing repairs and bringing electrical systems up to code.

“Maricopa County has historically been an affordable place to live, but across-the-board inflation and skyrocketing housing and rental prices are impacting our region, too,” Bill Gates, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said in the release.

“While there’s no overnight fix to our affordable housing shortage, this Board has shown a continued commitment to being part of the solution.”

The funding follows a recent announcement from the Board of Supervisors of an additional $17 million for three projects from south Phoenix to the West Valley.

“The growth in the West Valley over the past five years has been simply incredible, and while I’m certainly pro-growth and pro-development, we also need to look after our long-time residents, to make sure they’re provided for,” Clint Hickman, supervisor, said in the release.

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