A groundbreaking ceremony for a new 70-unit apartment complex that is scheduled to be completed within the coming year was held Wednesday morning.
Native American Connections is developing their newest family apartment complex on Second Avenue south of McKinley Street. The complex, Urban Living on 2nd, will provide housing for individuals or families seeking affordable living.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton told those at the ceremony he believes the work of NAC is a positive aspect of the city.
“You are building a better city because of what you are doing,” Stanton said.
Stanton spoke highly of NAC President and CEO Diana Yazzie-Devine’s accomplishments, such as her persistence in ensuring positive changes are made in the community.
“Whenever I am at an event with Diana, I know great things are happening in our city,” Stanton said.
The words hope, stability, support and opportunity were mentioned several times during the ceremony by speakers such as Yazzie-Devine. She spoke about the impact the housing unit will have on downtown Phoenix.
Residents will not only support community businesses but also save money by no longer needing a vehicle to drive to work, Yazzie-Devine said. Because of the location of the new complex, they should be able to walk or take the light rail.
“We hope to have a Zipcar lot for residents if they may need a vehicle short-term, as well as a full playground and barbeque area for residents,” Yazzie-Devine said.
NAC has operated in Phoenix since 1972. They have built eight apartment complexes in Phoenix. The popularity of previous NAC apartments is one of the reasons for the new complex.
Joe Keeper, the director of real estate development for NAC, said he believes these apartments have been successful because of the demand for affordable apartments. Keeper said they have a 95 percent occupancy rate.
One of NAC’s main goals is to not only benefit individuals but also families by providing them with affordable housing, Yazzie-Devine said.
She said the housing units are meant to serve those who may need a type of stabilization, whether it is financial or family-related. NAC also provides support for those in recovery from drugs or alcohol or seeking wellness within the community through multiple services including 12-step programs, holistic wellness, family healing and several other programs.
The units are also able to cater to those with disabilities or to the homeless, if need be. Depending on their financial eligibility, individuals or families living in the housing communities are able to receive meals, vouchers for transportation, counseling and referral for employment.
“We’ve brought a high level of quality design and 24/7 property management, we manage them well and we’ve really improved the neighborhood we work in,” Keeper said.
John McGarey, president of the Devonshire Neighborhood Association, has seen NAC apartment complexes have an impact on other communities. He believes the new complex will have a similar effect on the Roosevelt community.
In years past, the area where the new complex is being built was filled with trailers inhabited by criminals, McGarey said. There was the possibility of illegal and dangerous activity, making it an unsafe area for people to be.
McGarey believes that with the new development of structures in this area of the neighborhood, the street may now be as safe or safer than the rest of the streets in the area.
Because these apartment complexes offer housing for the homeless, they may keep residents away from danger.
“It will generally provide welcome homes to the homeless so they have a safe place from the Phoenix weather and street violence,” McGarey said.
“It has mental and physical health services available, taking a significant load off the emergency room staff, since this is one of the only places they can get health services otherwise,” McGarey said. “This population represents a high percentage of the medical expenses to public service funds.”
Contact the reporter at mackenzie.cummings@asu.edu
