By Isabela Gallardo, ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism
A new 576 unit multifamily residential and senior living community that will help low-income families could soon be coming to Maryvale. This planned unit development is projected to be located on 79th Ave. and Encanto Blvd, which currently sits vacant. It offers 372 multifamily residential units and 204 age-restricted, independent senior living units.
Photo concepts courtesy of Dominium.
A pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented environment are one of the many focuses for this development. The surrounding areas include Desert Sky Mall, Ak-Chin Pavilion, Cartwright Unified School District, and Manuel Peña Jr. Elementary School, all within walking distance.
This new project will revitalize the surrounding area and provide housing to those who need it the most. The development will offer affordable housing for rent to people with income restricted at or below 60% of the area's median income.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Arizona has the third most severe affordable housing shortage in the country.
"Low-income housing gives opportunities for families to be first-time house buyers," John Gomez, a community leader of Maryvale and former Cartwright Elementary School District Governing Board Member, said. “Rejuvenating and reinvesting in current neighborhood homes offers opportunities for young families to stay in Maryvale.”
Gomez said that this development would allow families to learn about financial responsibilities, which is key to success.
Photo concepts courtesy of Dominium.
Dominium is the developer for this project and has more than 45 years of affordable housing experience. They currently own and manage two properties in Arizona and have six properties under construction and development.
"Once you qualify to live there, you can get a raise, you make more money, and your rent stays capped based on incomes of the area,” Owen Metz, Vice President and Project Partner of Dominium, said. “So, you’re able to stash the money away and hopefully transition into homeownership.”
Point2, a real estate website, estimated a total population of 237,121 people in Maryvale, 58,757 people are considered below the poverty line.
“Where that community is being built is a good place for it,” Travis Amery, a Maryvale native, said.
Amery grew up in Maryvale and said that it's a part of him and who he is. His father had involvement in the community and restarted Maryvale UNITE and started the Maryvale Revitalization Corporation, both non-profits that helped the community.
"It has its issues and stigma for being a rough part of town, and it was," Amery said. "I feel it's a lot better now than it was in the ‘90s.”
The multifamily residential and senior living community will both have a pool, ramada, fire pit, barbeque area, and a clubhouse. The units will include a range of one, two, and three-bedroom setups.
Photo concepts courtesy of Dominium.
“Dignity is a big one for us,” Metz said. “We want people to be proud of where they come home every day.”
John Frederick Long started up Maryvale in the 1950s, and it was Phoenix’s first suburb. Despite the known resistance towards Maryvale due to its crime and violence rates, it continues to push forward to provide for its community members.
“Familia is the heart of the Maryvale community,” Gomez said.
The Maryvale Village Planning Committee passed a vote of 9-1 in favor of this proposal on Wednesday. The Planning Commission will review this proposal for a new residential facility on March 4, 2021. If it passes, it will move onto the Phoenix City Council.
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