Background
City of Mesa staff made a recommendation May 7, 2007
to the Community and Neighborhood Services Committee
that the City Council sell Escobedo Apartments on the
open market without use restrictions and have the City
provide a moving allowance to each household to
facilitate the transition of the tenants to other
residences. The committee unanimously agreed to the
staff recommendation.
Mesa City Council, at its Study Session on June 7,
2007, directed City staff to sell Escobedo on the open
market and provide moving allowances of $1600 for
tenants residing in a 1 to 3-bedroom apartment (90
units) and $2,250 for tenants residing in a 4-bedroom
apartment (6 units). The goal is to vacate the apartment
complex by next summer.
In addition, Council’s decision to sell Escobedo
constitutes government action and triggers the City’s
ability to reopen the Section 8 voucher waiting list.
The waiting list was re-opened July 10, 11 and 12.
Any Escobedo resident who applied for a Section 8
voucher will move to the top of the waiting list. The federal
government, through Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
finances the Section 8 voucher program. It provides rent
subsidy to low-income families. Families pay
approximately 30 percent, and not more than 40 percent,
of their monthly-adjusted income towards rent and
utilities.
There are numerous factors that led to the decision
to sell the Escobedo Apartments:
Operational costs for Escobedo Apartments are
from rental income and the City’s General Fund. The
City of Mesa does not have a capital outlay program
for Escobedo and the needed upgrades to bring the
apartment units up to current building code
standards are nearly two million dollars.
The housing units, located northeast of Center
Street and University Drive, will continue to age
without additional capital improvements and the City
of Mesa, with its fiscal challenges, is not in a
position to offer on-going financial support.
With the increasing financial limitations on the
City’s budget, the Mesa City Council must prioritize
expenditures focusing primarily on public safety and
infrastructure needs.
Top priority of City’s Housing Services staff is
to make sure existing tenants are treated fairly
during the transition. Tenants will be given moving
allowances. Staff will provide tenants with lists of
affordable apartments in and around Mesa. Staff will
seek help from community partners to assist tenants,
if needed, in packing and making driving
arrangements to view potential apartments they are
interested in.
Escobedo Apartments have a rich history dating
back to the 1940’s when it was used to house defense
workers and their families during World War Two.
While it does not have national or historical
designation, the City’s Historic Preservation Office
will document its historical significance
Resources & Key Contacts
Carolyn Olson
Housing and Revitalization Director
480-644-2168
carolyn.olson@cityofmesa.org
Ray Villa
Neighborhood Services Director
480-644-4546
ray.villa@cityofmesa.org |
