Phoenix Facilitates School-to-Affordable Housing Development

Two Phoenix school districts are selling their underused properties to build over 200 units of affordable housing.

1 minute read

February 25, 2025, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Google street view of vacant lot in Phoenix, Arizona.

Site of the future Salamanca Square affordable housing project in Phoenix, Arizona. | Google Maps / Street View

You’ve heard of ‘Yes in My Backyard’ and ‘Yes in God’s Backyard.’ How about ‘Yes in My Schoolyard’?

Two Phoenix school districts are partnering with the city to build affordable housing on unused district-owned land. According to an article in The Copper Courier, “The city will serve as an intermediary in these transactions, ensuring the land will be dedicated to affordable housing development through a Land Use Restrictive Agreement (LURA) that mandates affordable housing use for at least 40 years.”

The effort will create 264 housing units in two developments and adhere to federal affordability standards. “The units will be specifically targeted at households earning 80% or less of the area median income.”

The article notes, “The transaction structure complies with Arizona law, which permits school districts to sell property to government entities for public purposes, provided such sales don’t interfere with normal school operations.”

Monday, February 24, 2025 in The Copper Courier

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City