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Turn Your Rental Units Into Cash https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/2686Housing3/13/2023 5:45:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2686/landlord open house.jpgTurn Your Rental Units Into Cash <div class="ExternalClassEFD1F3C87C384D1D9F000ECF1D65F720"><html> <p>​If you own a home or rental unit in Phoenix and are looking for consistent, reliable rental income, come join us for an Owner Open House to learn about the benefits of the City of Phoenix's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.<br></p> <p> <strong>WHO</strong>: Current landlords and those interested in becoming landlords with the Section 8 HCV program.</p> <p> <strong>WHERE</strong>: Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd.</p> <p> <strong>WHEN</strong>: Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. </p> <p> <strong>WHY</strong>: In order to provide housing arrangements for more people with rental subsidy, Phoenix is looking for more landlords willing to accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs).</p> <p> <strong>Please RSVP</strong>: Email <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?b1926d4d3e7c1b09c9a37fc6ebe706bb870cdb98874db315e636345bfac83889" target="_blank">OpenHouseRSVP@quadel.com</a>.</p> <p>At the open house, landlords will have the chance to learn about Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts, inspections, leasing, moves, the $2,000 sign-on bonus for new HAP contracts, and more. Get your voucher questions answered in a meet-and-greet with staff from Housing, Human Services, and the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.</p> <p>This year we have implemented two breakout sessions to share more about the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and Project Based Vouchers (PBV). </p> <ul> <li>10:30 a.m. - Housing Quality Standards (HQS) – How to ensure your units pass inspection </li> <li>11:30 a.m. - Project Based Voucher (PBV) 101 – The basics of project-based vouchers</li> </ul> <p>“The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers help the landlords just as much as they help the tenants," said Elenia Sotelo, a housing manager in the Phoenix Housing Department. “We want to make sure more property owners are aware of the benefits of accepting Housing Choice Vouchers."</p> <p>Some of those benefits include:</p> <ul> <li>Payment consistency- landlords will receive monthly subsidy checks from the City. </li> <li>Renter stability- voucher holders are able to stay in their homes longer, reducing turnover.</li> <li>Access to housing specialists who can guide landlords through the process.</li> </ul> <p>Computers will be available to access files and information. Light refreshments will be served.​<br></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing
Soluna Reshapes and Revitalizes Edison-Eastlake Community https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/2547Housing10/29/2022 12:30:00 AMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2547/newsroom_Housing_20.jpgSoluna Reshapes and Revitalizes Edison-Eastlake Community <div class="ExternalClassEC6F6632CD244C2BB851B029C203DEE1"><html>​<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">Today, the City of Phoenix celebrated the grand opening of Soluna Apartments, the first Choice Neighborhoods mixed-income housing development in the Edison-Eastlake Community. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> <br></span><br><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Soluna features 177 modern, energy-efficient units ranging from one to five bedrooms. The community is designed to provide quality living at an affordable cost, with 80 percent of units offered as affordable housing and 20 percent of units available at market rate.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">“Ensuring affordable housing options for all who call our City home is a top priority for me,” said Mayor Kate Gallego. “One of the greatest challenges our residents face is simply housing availability, and 177 new units here at Soluna Apartments is a great step forward in addressing that. I couldn’t be more excited to see more housing options coming to South Phoenix.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Centrally located at 19</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><span data-fontsize="12">th</span></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> St. and Roosevelt, Soluna offers residents views of Edison Park and multiple amenities including a unique art plaza, three community rooms, playgrounds, a business center, a fitness center, and green space with plenty of shade trees. Soluna is the first phase of rental housing units developed as part of a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revitalize the Edison-Eastlake neighborhood and encourage a sense of pride in the community.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">"I am proud the City of Phoenix is continuing to prioritize affordable housing with this grand opening of Soluna Apartments," said Councilmember Garcia. "This mixed-income housing investment will ensure that my constituents have quality affordable housing options in vibrant neighborhoods.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default" data-ccp-parastyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"7e74a970-2599-432c-b523-713c64cb2760|7","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"Default",201340122,"2",134233614,"true",469778129,"Default",201342448,"1",469777841,"Calibri",469777842,"Calibri",469777843,"Calibri",469777844,"Calibri",469769226,"Calibri",335551500,"0",268442635,"24",335559740,"240",201341983,"0",335559739,"0"]}">Soluna, the combination of “sol” (sun) and “</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default">luna</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default">” (moon) in Spanish, received the 2022 Brian Mickelson Housing Hero Award for Outstanding Affordable Housing Initiative. The community</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default"> was developed in partnership with Gorman and Company</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default">, capitalizing on transit-oriented development opportunities, deconcentrating poverty, and ensuring long-term housing affordability in this community. </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">“Phoenix has embarked on the Housing Phoenix Plan, which was approved by the Mayor and Council in 2020, to create and preserve 50,000 units by 2030,” said Titus Mathew, City of Phoenix Housing Department Director. “There has never been a greater need for affordable housing than the present. This new project will provide hundreds of Phoenix residents access to safe and quality affordable housing. Thanks to all our partners, Mayor Gallego, Councilman Garcia, Department of Housing and Urban Development and our wonderful residents.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default">“Soluna is the first phase of a five-phased undertaking that will represent the single largest public housing redevelopment effort in Arizona history,” said Gorman’s CEO Brian Swanton. “What makes this project truly special is the level of intergenerational resident engagement in its design. The residents of Edison-Eastlake took a hands-on role from the very beginning, and now they are moving into their brand-new homes</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default">."</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-parastyle="Default"></span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Soluna was funded by Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity (LIHTC), private mortgage, Choice Neighborhoods funds and other sources of gap funding. Funding partners include the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corporation (PCDIC) and HUD. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><br></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="/housing/building-affordable-housing/cni-grant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Learn</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> more</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> about Choice Neighborhoods</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div></div><br></html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing
Landlords Invited to Housing Voucher Program Open Househttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/2530Housing10/17/2022 10:40:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2530/newsroom _housing_002.pngLandlords Invited to Housing Voucher Program Open House<div class="ExternalClassCAE9060BB63648A9BE65AD38510E8C3B"><html> <span style="font-size:16px;">​If you own a home or rental unit in Phoenix and are looking for consistent, reliable rental income, come join us for an Owner </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">Open</span><span style="font-size:16px;"> </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">House</span><span style="font-size:16px;"> to learn about the benefits of the City of Phoenix’s Housing Choice Voucher program. In order to provide housing arrangements for more people with rental subsidy, Phoenix is looking for more </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">landlord</span><span style="font-size:16px;">s willing to accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs). </span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> <strong>WHO:</strong> Current </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">landlord</span><span style="font-size:16px;">s and those interested in becoming </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">landlord</span><span style="font-size:16px;">s with the Section 8 HCV program.</span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> <strong>WHERE:</strong> Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park (300 E. Indian School Rd.)</span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> <strong>WHEN:</strong> Wednesday, October 19. Stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. </span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> Please RSVP: ​</span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">Open</span><span style="font-size:16px;">HouseRSVP@quadel.com </span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> At the </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">open</span><span style="font-size:16px;"> </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">house</span><span style="font-size:16px;">, </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">landlord</span><span style="font-size:16px;">s will have the chance to learn about Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts, inspections, leasing, moves, the $2,000 sign-on bonus for new HAP contracts, and more. Get your voucher questions answered in a meet-and-greet with staff from Housing, Human Services, and the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. </span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> “The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers help the </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">landlord</span><span style="font-size:16px;">s just as much as they help the tenants,” said Elenia Sotelo, a housing manager in the Phoenix Housing Department. “We want to make sure more property owners are aware of the benefits of accepting Housing Choice Vouchers.” </span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> Some of those benefits include payment consistency (</span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">landlord</span><span style="font-size:16px;">s will receive monthly subsidy checks from the City), renter stability (voucher holders are able to stay in their homes longer, thereby reducing turnover), and access to housing specialists who can guide </span><span data-ogsb="" data-ogsc="" data-ogab="" data-ogac="" data-markjs="true" style="font-size:16px;">landlord</span><span style="font-size:16px;">s through the process. </span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-size:16px;"> Computers will be available to access files and information. Light refreshments will be served.​ </span><br style="font-size:16px;"><br> <p> <br> </p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing
Phoenix Gets Additional Housing Vouchers, Higher Fair Market Rent Rates for Voucher Holdershttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/2509Housing9/30/2022 8:45:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2509/newsroom _housing_001.pngPhoenix Gets Additional Housing Vouchers, Higher Fair Market Rent Rates for Voucher Holders<div class="ExternalClassFC6B529E9A004EF1A02F5D92304B23ED"><html> <span style="font-family:Calibri;">​</span><span style="font-size:medium;background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-family:Calibri;">The City of Phoenix now has more Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) to help low-income renters have access to safe, decent, affordable housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded 92 new HCVs to the city’s Housing Department, marking the first non-competitive, general-purpose voucher increase in more than 10 years. The Housing Department’s voucher allocation increased to 7,204, effective October 1, with this new award.<br></span><br style="font-family:Calibri;"><p style="font-size:medium;">Additionally, the money tied to HCVs will now go much further for voucher recipients in Phoenix with the newly released Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Fair Market Rents (FMR) from HUD. Annual FMRs refer to the amount of money needed to cover rent and utilities on 40% of rental housing in a given area. While most of the country’s FMRs increase by about 10% on Oct. 1, Phoenix has seen so much rent growth recently that FMRs went up by more than 30%.*</p><p style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">These numbers are important because the Phoenix Housing Department uses them to determine <a href="/housingsite/Documents/HCV_Payment_Standards_Oct2022.pdf" target="_blank">Payment Standards​</a> -- how much money can be paid on behalf of a voucher recipient. Effective Oct. 1, Phoenix set the Payment Standards for the program at 110% of the FY2023 FMRs. The increase to FMRs elevates the value of vouchers, giving more opportunities for voucher holders to find rental housing in the private market.</span></p><br style="font-size:12pt;"> <span style="font-size:12pt;">*Table 1. Fair Market Rents (FMR) Year-to-Year % Increases for Phoenix, AZ</span><br style="font-size:12pt;"> <p style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p> <table class="ms-rteTable-default" width="100%" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"> <td style="width:16.6667%;" class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<br></td> <td style="width:16.6667%;" class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">1-Bedroom</span><br></td> <td style="width:16.6667%;" class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">2-Bedroom</span><br></td> <td style="width:16.6667%;" class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">3-Bedroom</span><br></td> <td style="width:16.6667%;" class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">4-Bedroom</span><br></td> </tr> <tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">2018 to 2019</span><br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​7%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​6%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​5%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​5%<br></td> </tr> <tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">2019 to 2020</span>​<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​10%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​9%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​8%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​8%<br></td> </tr> <tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">2020 to 2021</span><br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​8%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​7%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​5%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​5%<br></td> </tr> <tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-default"> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">2021 to 2022</span><br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​6%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​5%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​3%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​3%<br></td> </tr> <tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-default"> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​<span style="font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;">2022 to 2023</span><br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​34%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​33%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-default">​31%<br></td> <td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-default">​31%<br></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing
City Council Increases Incentive Payments to Section 8 Landlordshttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/2241Housing2/16/2022 10:00:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2241/homeowners.jpgCity Council Increases Incentive Payments to Section 8 Landlords<div class="ExternalClassFD871D6F08214588B959BD54A10866E5"><html> <p></p>The Phoenix City Council voted 9-0 Wednesday to increase the incentive amount from $500 to $2,000 for landlords who enter into a Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract.<br><br>The Landlord Incentive Program was first authorized by City Council in 2020. It used $500,000 of federal CARES Act funding to incentivize landlords to make more affordable housing units available to Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holders. The program offered a one-time payment of $500 to property owners for each housing unit they signed into a Section 8 HAP contract. The initial half-million dollars was exhausted in October 2021, and City Council then approved an additional $1 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to continue the program.<br><br>Since then, the city has disbursed a total of $148,500 of the new funds to secure 297 housing units for Section 8 voucher holders. The incentives were paid to 165 landlords, of which 32 were first-time Section 8 landlords. In January 2022, members of the Economic Development and Equity subcommittee discussed the idea of raising the incentive amount in order to quickly attract more landlords to the program.<br><br>“Increasing the incentive amount means paying out more funds per unit and expending funds more quickly. It will also make landlords who are uncertain of joining the program more receptive to renting to voucher holders due to the greater appeal of receiving a larger lump-sum," said Housing Director Titus Mathew.<br><br>With the incentive raised to $2,000 per new contract, the Housing Department estimates it will take about six months to use up the remaining funds.<br><br>Landlords who are interested in learning more about Section 8 Housing can find more information <a target="_blank" href="/housing/section-8-resources/landlord#%3a~%3atext=Owners%20may%20register%20their%20rental%2call%20of%20the%20information%20requested"><span style="color:rgb(240, 150, 9);"><span style="">here</span>​</span></a><span style="color:rgb(25, 25, 25);">.</span><br></html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing
Phoenix City Manager Appoints Titus Mathew as Housing Directorhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/1978Housing7/2/2021 10:00:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1978/titus_image for newsroom.jpgPhoenix City Manager Appoints Titus Mathew as Housing Director<div class="ExternalClassD748A2320A194219B39B5982CAE156E7"><html> <p>After a national search, Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher announced the selection of Titus Mathew as the new Housing Director effective immediately.<br></p> <p>In this role, Mathew will oversee 135 full-time staff<strong>, </strong>51 contract staff and an operating budget<strong> </strong>of $118 million to provide housing programs to Phoenix residents. His team facilitates affordable housing, public housing, Section 8 vouchers and homeownership programs. Mathew and his staff also manage the city's Housing Phoenix Plan, which has a goal of creating or preserving 50,000 homes by 2030 to address the housing shortage in Phoenix.  </p> <p>Mathew has seven years of experience in the Housing Department, including experience as the Acting Housing Director. In his most recent role as a Deputy Housing Director, he was responsible for the management of the department's accounting, budgeting, Information Technology, procurement and contracts sections as well as the Section 8 program.</p> <p>“I am humbled and honored to serve our city and look forward to continuing our mission to provide quality affordable housing and a pathway to self-sufficiency," said Titus Mathew, incoming housing director. “Phoenix has embarked on the Housing Phoenix Plan, which was approved by the Mayor and Council in 2020 and, we will continue to create and preserve 50,000 residential housing units by 2030.  There has never been a greater need for affordable housing than the present and I will strive to work with the Mayor and Council to achieve the goals of the Housing Phoenix Plan." </p> <p>During his 21-year career with the city of Phoenix, Mathew has worked for several city departments and programs including Parks and Recreation, City Manager's HOPE VI Project and the Finance Department Tax Division. Throughout his tenure, Mathew has worked on many Housing Department projects and provided leadership and support to many of the different grants and programs they offer. <br></p> <p>He also was part of the team that redeveloped the Matthew Henson public housing site into the HOPE VI mixed-income housing project. Mathew has a demonstrated commitment to Phoenix public housing residents and the city's Housing staff.<br></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing
Mitigating Rising Temperatures in the Edison-Eastlake Communityhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/1881Housing5/5/2021 5:30:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1881/EEC-Rendering_heat-mitigation-story.jpgMitigating Rising Temperatures in the Edison-Eastlake Community<div class="ExternalClass7422569C234F448A80D6E1F726D249DC"><html> <p>​Cities across the globe are seeing rising summer temperatures, in part, due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. This phenomenon is largely due to urban infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and sidewalks absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. <br></p> <p>In 2018, the city was awarded a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to redevelop the Edison-Eastlake neighborhood just east of downtown Phoenix, which tracks some of the hottest temperatures in the city each summer – up to 10 degrees hotter than other areas of the city. This community-driven redevelopment is leading the way for what it means to be a modern, heat-ready community. </p> <p>"It is fitting that a historic neighborhood such as Edison-Eastlake will be home to this new vision for heat-ready housing and community spaces that maintain the traditional qualities of a close-knit neighborhood," said Mayor Kate Gallego. “These new mixed-income units not only provide more modern amenities to residents, they also offer a sense of place with added resources, and promote climate action and heat mitigation in their design to enhance the well-being of our residents and our environment."<br></p> <p>The redevelopment includes: an expansion of Edison Park and the addition of a linear park along 19th Street; the addition of shade trees and shade structures within the many green spaces in the area; an expanded shade canopy along Van Buren, 19th and 20th streets to promote walkability; and the addition of shaded bus shelters. The plan also includes the strategic placement of buildings to block sun exposure and create shade; landscape design and placement of trees to maximize sidewalk shade; the use of heat mitigating roof coatings and building materials, among others. </p> <p>"The Edison-Eastlake community and its residents have dealt with hotter temperatures due to lack of investment for far too long," said Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia, who represents the city's District 8. “I hope this project will help lessen the impact of the warming climate for this diverse and historic neighborhood."<br></p> <p>Residents and community stakeholders have been part of the redevelopment team from the very beginning.  The Nature Conservancy identified the Edison-Eastlake Community as one of three focus areas throughout the Valley to address the impacts of rising temperatures. The project, with support from Phoenix Revitalization Corporation (PRC), engaged residents and stakeholders to create a Heat Action Plan that provides solutions to urban heat in the neighborhood. The Heat Action Plan identified some of the techniques to reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect. </p> <p>"It was important that we brought community partners to this project to provide unique expertise and ensure that the voices of the residents were not only heard, but that they saw their ideas come to life in the design and final product," said Deanna Jonovich, acting Housing director.</p> <p>Community member and resident leader Rosalyn Gordon said shade was of extreme importance to seniors and families, "so it was critical for me to participate in the various community meetings to help identify solutions to address the need for year-round shading in our neighborhood."<br></p> <p>The city's Housing Department also partnered with urban heat researchers at Arizona State University to offer mitigation best-practices and to place heat sensors throughout the community, including two roof top devices, to provide pre- and post-redevelopment data to measure the true impact of the heat mitigation efforts informed by the residents and project partners. </p> <p>"It's really about, 'show me the data," said Paul Coseo, PhD, associate professor of landscape architecture, The Design School, Arizona State University.  "We believe that these design elements will cool the neighborhood, but data will tell us if they really do."<br></p> <p>The redevelopment of the Edison-Eastlake Community is taking shape. New units are being constructed and residents now have an outdoor event space that is available for everyone to enjoy, with ramadas, a shaded, community stage and plenty of trees that are getting ready to throw some shade. </p> <p>Soluna, the first Choice Neighborhoods mixed-income housing development in the Edison-Eastlake Community, is currently taking shape as well. When completed, Soluna will be a modern community with a variety of amenities informed by the residents, including a computer lab, energy-efficient homes and shaded community spaces. The northeast corner will serve as the gateway to the neighborhood and will incorporate public art and shade into an arts plaza.  </p> <p>The next phase of housing development, Harmony at the Park, will continue the heat-mitigation mission, with more shaded community spaces and elements to improve walkability, focusing on safety and comfort. The site will also include a linear park stretching from Villa to Polk streets. This park will provide open green space with walking paths and even more shade trees.</p> <p>And this is just the beginning of the story. The city of Phoenix Housing Department is seeking LEED for Neighborhood Development Silver certification for the area of the neighborhood north of Van Buren Street. LEED is a framework for identifying, implementing and measuring green building and neighborhood design.  </p> <p>"This project will serve as a national model for redevelopment that incorporates health mitigation strategies and technologies at its core," said David Hondula, PhD, associate professor, School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning, Arizona State University. ​<br></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing
City of Phoenix Opens Edison Park Activity Hubhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/housing/1842Housing4/1/2021 10:00:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1842/DSC_0809.JPGCity of Phoenix Opens Edison Park Activity Hub<div class="ExternalClassF7DDDFB39EEE4E64876FCD6CA460A932"><html> <p></p> <p></p><p>City of Phoenix park amenities have reopened, and the residents of the Edison Eastlake Community have a new iconic outdoor event space to enjoy! The Edison Park Activity Hub is available for special occasions or day-to-day events. It consists of a large, event-ready, shaded stage, open gathering area and three artistic, customized ramadas. The Activity Hub is located at Edison Park, at 901 N. 19th St. </p><p>"The Edison Park Activity Hub provides residents a space to hold community gatherings, that also honors native Arizona colors and birds," said District 8 Councilmember Carlos Garcia. "This hub has been a long time coming for the residents of Edison-Eastlake, who have worked closely with staff to make their dream of a community space, a reality."</p><p>This project was made possible through a Choice Neighborhoods Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. With this grant, the Housing Department is transforming this distressed public housing community into a vibrant, mixed income community with high quality amenities.</p><p>Families can enjoy a show or a beautiful day in the lush green space. The stage and ramadas are unique and detailed with art selected by the community. Additionally, the posts on the structures are embedded with meaningful words identified by residents and community members. </p><p>This unique shaded Activity Hub is event-ready and can be used for community fairs, farmer's markets, performances, basketball games, fitness classes like Yoga or Zumba, open mic nights, public concerts or just to watch kids play.</p><p>The Housing Department will use the Activity Hub for annual community events such as GAIN, Community Connection Fairs, Movies in the Park and various performing arts activities. Residents may also use the Activity Hub for parties and special events. The Activity Hub is available on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations are required for events with less than 50 attendees.​<br></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/housingNewshousingHousing

 

 

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