NW Valley Times

The City of Tucson is taking steps to address the affordable housing crisis by seeking Housing Choice Vouchers for a new rental complex. The project, known as the West Point Apartments II, will provide affordable supportive rental development in the Armory Park Historic Residential District in Downtown Tucson.

The City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department (COT-HCD) will authorize the City of Tucson Public Housing Authority (PHA) to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Project-Based Vouchers under the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The project is made possible by several acts and amendments, including the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, the Fiscal Year 2001 Appropriations Act, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, and the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016.

La Frontera Partners, Inc. will develop the West Point Apartments II project on a 0.34-acre site currently used as a parking lot. The complex will consist of a 7-story building with 85 one-bedroom units and community space on the ground floor. The project will also include supportive services and amenities for residents, such as gathering spaces, a warming kitchen, food pantry, fitness room, laundry rooms, and restrooms.

The City of Tucson PHA will allocate 26 project-based vouchers to the West Point Apartments II project. Additionally, the project will receive $500,000 in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act. The units will be targeted towards adults aged 55 and over, with income targeting ranging from 40% to 60% of the Area Median Income.

Supportive services will be available to residents through La Frontera Center, Inc., a state-certified Community Housing Development Organization and the project developer. The project will also comply with the 2023 State of Arizona Qualified Allocation Plan Mandatory Design Guidelines and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver energy standards.

The West Point Apartments II project is the second phase of the development, following the successful completion of the West Point Apartments in 2017. The total estimated project cost is $29,348,920, with $6,683,040 of funding for the project-based vouchers over a 20-year period.

The project site is located in the Armory Park Historic Residential District, within the City of Tucson's Infill Incentive District. The Environmental Review Record for the project is available for review on the City of Tucson's Housing and Community Development Department website.

The City of Tucson's efforts to secure Housing Choice Vouchers for the West Point Apartments II project demonstrate their commitment to providing affordable housing options for residents in need. By partnering with La Frontera Partners, Inc. and utilizing federal funding, the city is taking proactive steps to address the affordable housing crisis and improve the quality of life for its residents.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Housing-and-Community-Development/HCD-News/City-of-Tucson-Seeks-Housing-Choice-Vouchers-for-New-Rental-Complex