According to a press release issued last week, Maricopa county is planning to spend $3.1 million for the construction two affordable housing communities in Phoenix.

The new communities will be located in the same neighborhood and are being developed through a partnership between the Maricopa County Human Services Department and Chicanos Por La Causa.

Funding for the construction will come from the American Rescue Plan.  According to the release, the communities are part of a larger initiative by the county to provide additional affordable housing, assistance and emergency housing options, like expanding the regional sheltering system.

$1.5 million of the funds will be spent on building 74 townhomes at the northeast corner of 6^th Ave. and Broadway road.

Applicants with household incomes of 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income will qualify for ownership and down payment assistance.

The community will encompass 5.3 acres and feature walking and bicycle paths, open spaces for gathering areas and a bicycle repair station.

Additionally, $1.6 million will be used to construct 161 apartments of various sizes, from 450 sq. ft. studio apartments to 1,130 sq. ft. three-bedroom units.

The apartment complex, named “Pueblo Apartments” will be located at 316 W. Broadway Rd., not far from the townhome development.

Applicants who earn 60% or below the AMI will qualify for apartment rental status at the 4.2-acre site which will include a clubhouse, central laundry, outdoor fitness equipment and family areas with playground and picnic facilities.

“As we allocate money, we are looking at barriers to home ownership and the rentals in this tight housing market.  We are helping developers construct affordable housing in the metro area where people need it most and we have plans to connect people to that housing as it nears completion,” said District 3 Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, in the press release.