Tempe and its development partners are bringing to life a vision almost 20 years in the making to add more affordable housing adjacent to light rail in the Apache Corridor.

The development, La Victoria Commons, will transform vacant city-owned property into a dynamic new housing and community hub with benefits for both the surrounding neighborhood and entire city, a city release explained. 

Tempe and partners broke ground on the project earlier this month.

Mayor Corey Woods said in the release that La Victoria Commons brings much needed affordable rental and homeownership opportunities as well as community amenities like a health clinic.

“We know that a vibrant, healthy community depends on a diverse mix of housing,” Woods said. “We’re so excited to welcome more families, young professionals, older adults, new ASU graduates and others to this new development.”  

The project on the northeast corner of Apache Boulevard and the Price Freeway includes:

• A 104-unit, multi-story apartment community with affordable rents located at the southern end of property, along Apache Blvd. The complex would serve low-income households, such as a four-person household with an income between $31,200 and $62,400.
• Nineteen townhomes for sale to income-qualified households at the northern end of property, along McArthur Drive.
• One, two and three-bedroom options for both the rental units and townhomes.
• A health clinic open to the entire community, community room and café.

Copa Health and Newtown CDC are the project developers. Vice President of Community Relations for Copa Health Norm Duvé said in the release that Copa Health is committed to the integration of affordable housing and robust services.

“La Victoria Commons is a great example of this commitment and the importance of partnering with organizations like Newtown CDC and the city of Tempe,” Duvé said.

Tempe purchased the property in 2006 using federal CDBG funds. At the time, a light rail station was being planned adjacent to the property and that made the purchase ideal for the future development of affordable housing, according to the release.

More recently, Tempe accelerated the project through its Hometown for All initiative, which creates a sustainable funding source to expand affordable housing in partnership with the nonprofit Tempe Coalition for Affordable Housing. 

Hometown funds were invested toward predevelopment costs to deliver shovel-ready property to development partners. In addition, TCAH is coming on board as one of the project funders.

Construction is estimated to be complete in the winter of 2025.