La Esperanza Terrace opens as Arizona's first affordable housing funded by school district surplus land

The Maricopa County government meeting held on April 30, 2025, focused on the unveiling of La Esperanza Terrace, a new affordable housing complex in West Phoenix. This initiative aims to address the growing housing crisis in the area, where many residents, like Arizona native Amanda Torres, have reported increasing unaffordability and stress related to housing costs.

La Esperanza Terrace will feature 96 units, including 32 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom, and 32 three-bedroom apartments designed for families. The project is notable as Arizona's first affordable housing community financed through the school district surplus land initiative, utilizing a previously vacant property within the Isaac Elementary School District.

During the meeting, UMOM CEO Jackson Fonder highlighted the pressing need for affordable housing, citing significant inflation and skyrocketing rents over the past five years. He noted that the nonprofit has developed ten housing complexes in the last 13 years to help more residents secure affordable living options. Maricopa County has also allocated American Rescue Plan funds to support the creation of 1,035 affordable housing units to date.

District 5 Supervisor Steve Gallardo expressed optimism about the potential for similar projects across the valley, emphasizing that the school district surplus land initiative could serve as a blueprint for financing affordable housing communities throughout Maricopa County.

La Esperanza Terrace will not only provide housing but also offer on-site employment services. To qualify for residency, applicants must earn at or below 60% of the area median income. This project represents a significant step towards alleviating the housing crisis in Maricopa County and improving the living conditions for many families in the region.