Congratulations to Arizona Housing Inc., which began moving 35 chronically homeless individuals into Collins Court and North 17! Both projects are housing first models, providing client centered voluntary services. Service providers at the downtown Phoenix Human Services (Homeless) Campus identified potential tenants among chronically homeless clients. A trained team then administered DESC’s Vulnerability Assessment Tool to determine housing priority. Tenant John Loftus states, “Being here, I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s the best thing that’s happened in the last 20 years,”
When AHI purchased Collins Court in 2010, the property was in foreclosure and had been half vacant for nearly two years. Now fully renovated, Collins Court apartments offer residents amenities such as a full kitchens with Energy Star appliances, 24 hour front desk staffing, on-site laundry services, nearby public transportation, charcoal grills, as well as a farmer’s market and social activities designed to create a sense of community. Resident Coordinators help tenants access community resources including behavioral health and substance abuse treatment, veterans services, employment, and life skills.
AHI purchased North 17 apartments in mid-2011. The complex is located in the Sunnyslopeneighborhood of north central Phoenix. In addition to on-site services similar to Collins Court, North 17 collaborates with Central Arizona Shelter Services’ Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter to provide an innovative after-school program.
Mark Holleran, CEO of Arizona Housing Inc., states, “North 17 and Collins Court are great examples of what can be accomplished when the private and public sectors come together and work to create innovative approaches in developing affordable housing. Housing, combined with helping our most vulnerable residents develop a supportive housing network and community, is the solution to ending homelessness.”
See the Arizona Republic coverage on December 30, 2012.
