More Catholic Charities Affordable Housing Coming to Melrose District Article originally posted on on April 8, 2024 Much-needed affordable housing is going on up on Seventh Avenue, courtesy of Catholic Charities. Why it matters: The Valley is suffering a shortage of about 270,000 housing units, according to a 2022 report by the Arizona Department of Housing. The big picture: The building under construction is the second part of a three-phase Acacia Heights project, which will have 66 units, said Steve Capobres, executive director of Housing for Hope, a Catholic Charities affiliate. Capobres told Axios it’s expected to be finished in September. The first phase was 78 affordable senior housing units built by the Foundation for Senior Living, a sister agency to Catholic Charities. Zoom in: Capobres said apartment rents will be based on what’s affordable for people who earn 40% to 60% of the area median income. Pre-leasing for phase two will likely begin over the summer through Housing for Hope’s website. The senior living building has a 140-person waiting list. What’s next: The third phase will be a 68-unit building to replace the Catholic Charities office building on Seventh Avenue. Construction is expected to start in June and end in fall of 2025. Between the lines: Capobres said the organization decided its office would be put to better use as affordable housing because it’s so close to the light rail line on Camelback. Catholic Charities closed its Refuge Café in 2022 to make way for the Acacia Heights affordable housing complex. All buildings will have similar looks and feels to create a “seamless project between the three.”