Valor on Eighth is the first of its kind affordable housing project in Arizona that will provide housing for veteran families with children.
Located at 1001 E. Eighth St. in Tempe, Valor on Eighth is a 50-unit mixed-income rental community that includes five live-work units on the ground floor and 45 multifamily units designed to accommodate veterans and their children.
Gorman & Company, Inc., in partnership with the Affordable Rental Movement of Save the Family, Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), City of Tempe, Maricopa County, and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) have officially opened Valor on Eighth Apartment Homes today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“There is community space within the building which will allow for indoor recreation room for social and financial services, counseling and career development for the residents,” said Brian Swanton, CEO for Gorman & Company. “The City of Tempe approved the contribution of the land to develop the first community exclusive to helping homeless veterans and their families.”
The City of Tempe began a veterans initiative led by Vice Mayor Robin Arredondo-Savage and former Vice Mayor Corey Woods four years ago. They assembled a select group of veterans service providers and advocates, veterans and staff members to take an in-depth analysis of veterans services that were available and to find the gaps that could be filled by Tempe. They discovered that traditionally, veterans housing was primarily for men only. There was one private housing project for women. None existed with an emphasis on families.
“We care about the veterans who have served our country,” Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said. “Not only does Valor on Eighth provide affordable housing, it also provides the kinds of services that veteran families need most. We hope we can offer more of these kinds of innovative projects in Tempe.”
