Mesa Heights to welcome tenants at end of August
Fire delayed leasing process; HACY has received 500 applications
Residents will begin moving into the newly constructed Mesa Heights Apartments at the end of August. They were chosen from among 500 individuals and families who applied to live in the 58-unit complex built on Arizona Avenue, between 20th and 22nd streets.
The Housing Authority of the City of Yuma is now leasing three of the six residential buildings, totaling 29 units, to qualified applicants. The remaining units will be leased by Dec. 31.
“We have more than enough applicants on our waiting list to fill the units, but we are still processing applications to verify eligibility, criminal history and landlord references to ensure we get the most qualified applicants to reside at Mesa Heights,” Michael Morrissey, HACY executive director, explained, adding that the agency is still accepting applications for Mesa Heights.
The fire caused a delay in the leasing schedule and extended the process an additional three months. “The net result is that 12 lowincome families will have to postpone their dream of moving into quality affordable rental housing several additional months,” Morrissey said.
A fire was allegedly intentionally set at the site of the under-construction apartment complex just before 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 29. Flames completely engulfed a building on the south end of the complex. Windy conditions, intense heat and flying embers caused flames to spread to other structures in the neighborhood. Nearby residents had to be evacuated.
In all, the fire destroyed six buildings, including an apartment building and five homes. Six other vehicles or structures sustained significant damage, and there were 15 other small yard and debris fires.
Police arrested James Mee, 25, Trayvon Johnson, 18, and Daniel Molina, 18, in connection to the fire. Two boys, ages 16 and 17, were also arrested. Another suspect, Devon Munson, 18, has not yet been located.
HACY will host an open house later this fall to welcome the on-site community and “share in the
success of this exceptional development,” Morrissey said.
PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS
The new $13.8 million housing development, the result of public-private partnerships, is intended for low- and moderate-income families. The groundbreaking was held a year ago.
The complex was developed by the Arizona Housing Development Corporation and Gorman and Company, which specializes in the development of affordable housing, renovation of historic buildings and revitalization of traditional urban neighborhoods.
Investment funds came primarily from private equity raised through the sale of low-income housing tax credits. Investment partners include the Arizona Housing Development Corporation, City of Yuma, Housing Authority of the City of Yuma, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Arizona Department of Housing, Boston Capital, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Chase Bank.
The project is the anchor project in the City of Yuma’s Mesa Heights Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. “This project will help stimulate our local economy, provide employment opportunities and address an area of blight along Arizona Avenue,” Morrissey noted.
The site is within walking distance from McGraw Elementary and Gila Vista Junior High School and on a Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT) bus route, giving residents convenient access to public transportation.
“These new apartments will be affordable for lower-income families with the added bonus of being across the street from good schools,” Rhonda Lee-James, the city’s neighborhood services manager, noted last year. “From research and conversations with people in the community, we know there is a significant void in Yuma’s rental market for high-quality housing that doesn’t cost families half, or more than half, of their monthly income. This project will provide more of those units.”
The creation of “quality, affordable rentals” is a key goal in the revitalization strategy, she said.
“This complex will be a significant boost to revitalization efforts because those vacant dirt lots on Arizona Avenue will be replaced with attractive homes with amenities that the whole neighborhood can enjoy,” Lee-James added.
AMENITIES, RESOURCE CENTER
The complex includes six two-story garden-style apartment buildings and a community building on three-plus city-owned acres that were previously vacant. Each building varies architecturally and units will have either one, two or three bedrooms.
Additionally, the complex has recreational amenities, including a playground, shaded and outdoor cooking areas and a community building provided for resident and neighborhood use.
A variety of supportive service programs will be available on site, such as an after-school tutoring program for youth, computer and job training, financial literacy and nutrition education, and resident service coordination — “where we will have a full-time staff member helping to connect those in need with those who serve,” Morrissey added.
The Mesa Heights Community Resource Center will host the SHINE Mentor Leading program, which offers local high school students the opportunity to earn college credit from Arizona Western College in courses such as human relations, management and leadership.
Additionally, students will facilitate workshops to develop youth leaders and complete an annual Capstone Project involving the community. The program will take place on Thursday evenings during the school year at the resource center. It is free for the first 30 students, as it is sponsored by the Arizona Housing Development Corporation, Yuma Sunrise Rotary Club and Optimist Club of Yuma.
In addition, Northern Arizona University will partner with AHDC at Mesa Heights and offer various business related programs and services as well. A memorandum of understanding is currently being worked out.
For more information on these programs, contact Morrissey at michaelm@ hacy.org or 928-782-3823, ext. 128.