New hotel-to-housing conversion project set to begin
LOS ANGELES: The hotel-to-affordable services housing trend continues to gather pace in all western societies.
Construction for another hotel-to-housing conversion project will soon break ground in Arizona, aimed at helping those experiencing homelessness and creating affordable housing.
The Pinyon Pointe Apartments project in Page is spearheaded by Housing for Hope, an affiliate of Catholic Charities Community Services, which recently received a $150,000 grant from the Arizona Housing Fund to help cover construction costs.
The bulk of the funding for the project came from the Arizona Department of Housing, which allocated $6.05 million for the purchase of the existing 39-room hotel.
Once complete, Pinyon Pointe will include 20 apartments, a mix of one- and two-bedroom units and studio apartments, and an on-site Catholic Charities staff member to provide ongoing case management. Residents will also be connected with other local resources to assist with housing stability, including medical and mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, partnerships with food banks and more.
Located at 75 S. Seventh Ave. in Page, the project’s demolition and construction are expected to start later this month, with the goal of completing the project entirely by this December.
“There’s a huge need for more housing options in Page in general and particularly affordable housing for individuals and families who are at risk of homelessness,” said Steve Capobres, Catholic Charities vice president of business development and Housing for Hope executive director, in a news release announcing the funding.
Nearly 30% of Page residents are living in poverty — more than double the statewide poverty rate, according to the latest census data.
The Pinyon Pointe Apartments project is just the latest iteration of the hotel-to-housing strategy as one way to address the affordable housing crisis across the state.
Earlier this year, Flagstaff Shelter Services announced that it will transform a former Motel 6 into 103 units of transitional housing scheduled to open by the end of the year. And in May, the Mesa City Council voted to buy a 72-room hotel for $7.4 million for a local transitional housing program.