The city of Tempe’s Hometown for All initiative has been honored nationally for its work expanding affordable housing in Tempe. 

Hometown for All received a 2024 Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials on Sept. 25 at the organization’s annual conference, a city release stated. NAHRO’s awards program recognizes achievement and innovation and showcases best efforts in housing and community development.

Tempe’s initiative will be included in NAHRO’s Best Practices Database, offered as a resource bank on significant, innovative activities,. 

The Hometown for All initiative is designed to create more affordable housing in Tempe through a dedicated funding source and developer donations and is the force behind Tempe’s broader affordable housing strategy, according to the release.

Mayor Corey Woods said in the release that he’s grateful to NAHRO for highlighting the work Hometown for All does to support affordable housing.

“Hometown for All began with a bold vision to give anyone the opportunity to call Tempe home,” Woods said. “To do that, we put ourselves in the driver’s seat to innovate around funding, collaborate with development partners and accelerate the pace of building.”

Established in 2021, Hometown for All creates a dedicated funding stream to expand affordable housing opportunities in Tempe. 

For every new development built in Tempe, an amount equivalent to 50% of certain permitting fees paid to the city’s General Fund goes to support the nonprofit Tempe Coalition for Affordable Housing. 

Those funds are used to purchase properties and land and to re-imagine city-owned parcels. Hometown for All has also spurred new donations from developers to support the city’s work. 

To date, the initiative has resulted in $9.4 million in city investments, $3.7 million in donations received and $18.6 million in pledged funds, the release stated.

Coming up

The city has prioritized affordable housing and will take a measure to Tempe voters to expand options. 

On Nov. 5, Tempe voters have the opportunity to fund an increased supply of affordable housing through the 2024 Special Bond Election. Question 3 seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds of up to $32 million for this expansion. Find more information at www.tempe.gov/bond.

Affordable housing options continue to grow in Tempe as a result of Tempe’s Affordable Housing Strategy, Hometown for All and the city’s partnership with TCAH.

A range of landmark projects will add new housing, retail, community resources and gathering spaces. They include:

Apache Central

Tempe is transforming a nearly 8-acre site near Apache Boulevard and Dorsey Lane that includes the Apache Central Center, former location of a Food City, and two adjacent parcels. 

All three parcels are owned by the city. Tempe is working with Community Development Partners and Juntos Community Developers on a mixed-income project with as many as 400 housing units; at least half of all units would be priced for people with low and moderate incomes. Retail and other amenities will be included.

LaVictoria Commons

Tempe is reimagining a 2.6-acre, city-owned site near Apache Boulevard and Price Road as a housing and community hub. 

Working with developers Copa Health and Newtown Community Development Corporation, the project includes 104 affordably-priced apartments, 19 townhomes for sale to income-qualified households and a health clinic open to all residents in Tempe, along with a community room and café.

Food City North

Tempe has purchased a 7.2-acre site in north Tempe to create a new destination that includes mixed-income housing, retail and a police station to meet broad community needs. The site at the southeast corner of Scottsdale and McKellips roads will integrate affordable housing units. Tempe will be seeking a development partner in the future. 

Tempe Performing Arts Center

Tempe is reviewing developer submittals to repurpose a city-owned property into a high-density, mixed-income and urban mixed-use project. The city is requesting affordable housing to be included in the proposed project to help meet the goals of the city’s Affordable Housing Strategy and Hometown for All initiative.

TCAH Apache Boulevard parcel

TCAH has purchased vacant land on Apache Boulevard, near McClintock Drive, for future development of approximately 40-50 affordable units. The property was purchased using nearly $3 million in funding that came through Hometown for All. TCAH will be seeking a development partner in the future.

Track the city of Tempe's progress expanding affordable housing here.