Attainable rental housing developer Greenlight Communities and partner Holualoa Companies officially broke ground on March 20 on its first Tempe community, Cabana Kyrene. 

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the project site located at 515 W. Guadalupe Road in Tempe, marking a significant milestone in Greenlight’s expansion efforts.

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, Councilmembers Jennifer Adams, Nikki Amberg and Berdetta Hodge joined Greenlight executives, investors and project partners in celebrating the start of construction, according to a press release.

Robert Lyles, co-founder of Greenlight Communities, said in the release that they were honored to have the mayor and council members for the important occasion.

“Their support underscores how vital attainable housing is to the future of south Tempe,” Lyles said.

Cabana Kyrene will introduce 229 new rental homes, including 90 studio apartments, 93 one-bedroom units, and 46 two-bedroom units. These residences are thoughtfully designed to provide high-quality, attainably priced housing for Arizona’s workforce, the release stated. 

Since 2010, south Tempe has seen very few new apartment communities, and nearly all of them are luxury Class A properties or government-subsidized affordable housing. Cabana Kyrene is the first attainable/workforce apartment community in the area, offering modern, stylish rental options without the luxury price tag.

Mayor Woods said in the release that they are not just simply building houses but building a  future where the community can afford to live, grow and thrive.

“In Tempe, over 25,000 households spend more than 30% of their income on housing, which highlights the urgent need for attainable communities like Cabana Kyrene,” Woods said.

He went on to say that this is the first workforce-focused attainable housing development in south Tempe in over 15 years, filling a critical gap for teachers, service workers, healthcare professionals and so many others.

Woods continued that Greenlight Communities is setting a new standard in housing developments by providing high quality housing without relying on government subsidies.

“Projects like Cabana Kyrene support our local economy, reduce long commutes, and help ensure that Tempe remains a diverse, vibrant and inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to call our city home,” Woods said.

Cabana Kyrene is another joint venture between Greenlight Communities and Holualoa Companies, reflecting their shared commitment to expanding attainable housing options across Arizona, according to the release.

Cabana Kyrene is within three miles of more than 60,000 jobs, with major employers such as Kyrene School District 28, Honeywell, Consumer Cellular, Swire Coca-Cola, Charles Schwab, and American Airlines.  

For more, visit www.livegreenlight.com.