City of Tucson Seeks Housing Choice Vouchers for New Rental Complex
Published on December 12, 2023
On or about December 27, 2023, 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), Office of Public and Indian Housing for the release of Project-Based Vouchers, under the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program as authorized by 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, under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as amended, to undertake a project known as the West Point Apartments II project.
The project provides for the development of affordable supportive rental development by La Frontera Partners, Inc. on an approximate 0.34-acre site currently used as a parking lot in the Armory Park Historic Residential District in Downtown Tucson. The project consists of property acquisition, demolition of the current parking lot, new construction of a 7-story, 85-unit affordable supportive rental development complex, and allocation of 26 project-based vouchers (PBV).
The complex is designed with community space on the ground floor and 85, one-bedroom, one-bathroom units on the 2nd through 7th floors. The ground floor community space includes offices for supportive services and property management staff and resident amenities including gathering spaces, a warming kitchen, food pantry, fitness room, laundry rooms, and restrooms. The project also includes one resident manager's unit.
The project will be allocated 26 PBVs through the City of Tucson PHA. The project will also receive $500,000 in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act through HCD. Eighty percent of the units will be set aside for adults, ages 55 and over. The project will have the following household income targeting: 28 units at 40% of Area Median Income (AMI); 28 units at 50% of AMI; and 28 units at 60% of AMI.
Supportive services, including a residential services coordinator, will be available to residents through La Frontera Center, Inc., a sister agency to La Frontera Partners, Inc., a state-certified Community Housing Development Organization and the project developer, both under La Frontera Arizona, Inc., a nonprofit corporation.
West Point Apartments II will be designed in compliance with the 2023 State of Arizona Qualified Allocation Plan Mandatory Design Guidelines and will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver energy standards, which include energy efficient building elements such as Energy Star qualified fixtures and appliances, water efficient plumbing fixtures, green label materials, efficient HVAC systems, and Home Energy Rating System index standards.
The project represents phase two of West Point Apartments, previously developed by La Frontera Partners in 2017, located at 20 East Broadway Boulevard and consisting of 50 affordable units for residents 55 years of age and older. The total estimated project cost is $29,348,920 with an estimated $6,683,040 of funding for 26 PBVs over 20 years, entitlement number AZ004, through the City of Tucson PHA. The West Point Apartments II project is located at 18 and 20 East Ochoa St, Pima County Assessor Parcel Number 117-13-0410. The site is located south of East Broadway Boulevard between South Scott and Stone Avenues, on the north side of East Ochoa Street in the Armory Park Historic Residential District. The property is located within the City of Tucson's Infill Incentive District.
The Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is available at www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Housing-and-Community-Development/Documents/Environmental-Review.