The City of Tempe is now just a couple months away from opening a brand new housing facility focused on veterans right here in the valley.
Valor on Eighth near University Drive and Rural Road is expected to be completed by the end of December and the 50-unit project is giving affordable rent priority to those who served our country and their families.
"One of the things that we know, is housing is one of the things that's always a challenge with our veterans," explained Tempe Vice Mayor Robin Arredondo-Savage.
Even though the area is prime real estate with the booming Tempe campus of Arizona State University, the city of Tempe donated the land to build the project.
Developer Gorman & Company, Inc. works on projects like this around the nation with the goal of revitalizing communities, but this project is one of a kind.
"With this being a veterans-family-focus," said Ben Shunk with the company. "I'm not familiar of any other projects in the country that have that focus."
Jacki Taylor with the Save the Family Foundation of Arizona is also collaborating with the city. Her organization will provide services right on the apartment property for the veterans.
"We do veterans services," Taylor explained. "But, we've never had a housing project devoted to veterans... for adults, we'll do things like financial literacy, parenting classes...job club."
And for Vice Mayor Arredondo-Savage, this is a personal mission. She is a veteran herself and she hopes this space will make the transition back to civilian life much easier with support just down the hall.
"A lot of our veterans struggle," Arredondo-Savage said. "Whether it's finding a job, just navigating the VA system...finding a daycare for their children. But, we're going to be able to address all those needs right here and it's going to be a great home and I really believe that we're going to change lives."
To learn more about the project and how you can get on an interest list to live at the complex, click here.
