Developer seeks $50,000 city fee-waiver pledge to boost Nogales bid for senior affordable housing tax credits
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Summary
Chicanos Por La Casa presented a proposal for Bafford Senior Apartments — a proposed 50‑unit, 1‑bedroom development for residents 62+ — and asked the council for a conditional $50,000 commitment/fee waiver to score five points in the competitive 9% LIHTC round.
Chicanos Por La Casa representatives presented the Bafford Senior Apartments proposal to the Nogales City Council, describing a three‑story, one‑bedroom complex aimed at residents 62 and older and estimating a development budget just under $23 million.
The presenter said the group plans to apply in the competitive 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) round and that the project would build 50 units on roughly one acre of a 5.25‑acre parcel. Project details described at the meeting included 600‑square‑foot 1‑bedroom units, on‑site amenities such as a fitness center and multipurpose room, 56 surface parking spaces and a developer plan to leverage more than $19 million in private investment, a $3 million HUD grant and more than $400,000 in sponsor equity.
To improve its competitive score, the presenter asked the city for a $50,000 commitment in the form of fee waivers to be submitted with the April 1 LIHTC application. The presenter said the waiver would be contingent on the project receiving the LIHTC award and would be applied to permitting and other city construction fees, not provided directly as cash to the developer: "It would be strictly contingent on us receiving a 9% LIHTC award," the presenter said.
Council members asked questions about HUD approvals for a three‑story senior building, the placement of ADA units on the lower level in case of elevator issues, project history on the site (previous unsuccessful applications) and the timing for a commitment letter. City staff suggested returning a request to the March agenda so the council could consider a formal commitment letter before the April application deadline.
No fee‑waiver commitment or vote was recorded on Feb. 4; council members and the presenter agreed to return the matter in March with a draft commitment letter and additional details.
Proper names and funding claims cited by the presenter included Chicanos Por La Casa (developer/owner), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant of $3 million, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit competitive round (9%).
