Since City Council passed the Housing Phoenix Plan in 2022, Phoenix’s plan to improve the local affordable housing landscape by selling or leasing City-owned parcels has had successes, but more work and opportunities remain.
Approximately 20 properties were identified under the initial plan as possible new housing locations. Sites were chosen because they were suitable for housing development and not planned for other uses, according to Deputy Housing Director Samantha Keating.
One project has gone through the process so far. Council approved plans from Richman Group of Arizona for a two-phase development next to the Helen Drake Senior Center at 27th Avenue near Northern Avenue. The City is working with the developer on permitting, and construction on the first 80 units out of a possible total of 204 is expected to start early next year.
The City also has an open solicitation for three noncontiguous properties totaling 12 lots in the area of 3rd Street and Northern Avenue in Sunnyslope.
These could be used for either single- or multifamily housing, but at least half of the units will have to be available for households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income. Proposals are due March 22, with Council recommendations expected by June.
Some parcels around town have zoning in place, which could make for faster development. One such site is near Central and Columbus avenues and could be developed for mixed-income housing and other uses. Officials expect to release an RFP later this year.
Despite interest in some areas, others have failed to generate responses. Land on small lots near 15th Avenue and Polk Street did not generate any interest when requests were issued. The City is currently looking at its options for that property to decide whether or not to issue another request.
Several other properties are currently going through due diligence, and more development requests will probably be issued before the end of the year. (Source)