By J. Graber | Daily Independent
The City of Scottsdale is considering purchasing this two story six-plex at 7602 E. Polk Street for short-term, emergency housing.
The city is taking the first steps in a plan to create short-term, emergency housing for residents looking to get back on their feet in south Scottsdale.
Scottsdale held an open house March 27 to consider purchasing a two story 6-plex at 7602 E. Polk Street, near the intersection East McKellips and North Miller roads.
The city has not yet entered into negotiations with the property owner, but is holding an open house to gauge public opinion about the move, according to Scottsdale Human Services Director Greg Bestgen.
“We’re just reaching out to the neighborhood and making sure we give them the city’s intentions,” Bestgen said.
City staff have already knocked on approximately 400 doors in the neighborhood to gauge residents thoughts on the project, receiving mostly positive feedback on the move, Bestgen said.
“There was some concern that this would be a program for people with substance abuse problems,” he said.
But the city is not proposing a half-way house. It would bridge housing with case management services primarily for those stuck in the vice of rising rent prices, said Bestgen, who anticipates single-parent families and senior citizens primarily using the housing for several months at a time.
The property the city is looking at is priced at approximately $2.5 million. The majority of the money would come from Maricopa County with a small portion coming from the city’s community assistance office.
“If that property doesn’t work out we might pivot to a similar property,” Bestgen said.
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