Paiute Neighbor Center poised to serve more in need through Scottsdale City Council OK
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
Scottsdale City Council took a substantial step, proponents say, to serve better vulnerable residents when the local governing board Tuesday, Sept. 19, approved two separate projects at the Paiute Neighborhood Center campus.
Scottsdale Vice Mayor Kathy Littlefield was the sole dissenting vote on item 23, which was focused on the Bond 2019 funding transfer meant for the Paiute Neighborhood Center during the Sept. 19 public hearing. Meanwhile, Councilman Barry Graham and Vice Mayor Littlefield both voted against items 24 and 25.
All three measures were presented together but voted on separately.
Scottsdale officials tell the Arizona Digital Free Press the measures will come to fruition through ‘distinct and separate’ funding sources — a simultaneous municipal pursuit toward improving aging facilities at the Paiute Neighborhood Center while also addressing the growing need for affordable housing in Scottsdale, they say.
Some residents expressed concern about using voter-approved bonds for an affordable housing project which was not part of the 2019 bond package — this is not accurate, City Hall officials contend.
Bonds taken to market will only be used for their stated purpose: improving the Paiute Neighborhood Center, city officials say.
Separately, a combination of federal housing money administered by Maricopa County and municipal General Fund dollars will be used to build up to 28 affordable housing units at Paiute as no bond financing is part of the project.
Scottsdale City Council approved Resolution No. 12928 authorizing a General Fund transfer in the amount of $5,316,186, from the General Plan initiatives designation in the General Fund to fund Bond 2019 Project 25, which was presented to voters to ‘Replace Aging Buildings that Comprise Paiute Community Center.’
Of Note: In the 2019 bond election, voters approved Project 25: ‘Replace Aging Buildings that Comprise Paiute Community Center,’ a renovation project estimated then at $11.2 million. Meanwhile, due to inflation, on Sept. 19, Scottsdale City Council added $5.3 million from the General Plan initiatives to cover the additional cost.
The Paiute Neighborhood Center opened in 1995 at a former elementary school site, filling a need for community programs and social services, city officials say.
The Paiute Neighborhood Center is home to the city’s Human Services Department, a team of social workers and other professionals who provide crisis case management and other services, including First Things First programming for children under age 5, and administering Scottsdale Housing Agency programs.
City officials also report the center provides for partner nonprofit agencies, including Maricopa County’s Headstart/Early Headstart child development programs, the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Community School, and the Hirsch Academy Title 1 Charter School.
Scottsdale City Council: An affordable housing pursuit at City Hall
The Scottsdale Human Services Department, city officials say, will leverage a combination of funding sources to build up to 28 affordable housing units at the Paiute Neighborhood Center.
Coined, ‘The Residence at Paiute’ the project is expected to comprise a combination of studio and two-bedroom units provided at low or no-cost to seniors and persons with disabilities, with several units dedicated to case-managed, temporary bridge housing for parents with children who are working toward securing independent stable housing in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale officials report construction cost is expected to be $15.7 million with $7.8 million coming from the federal government, which will be administered by Maricopa County. The balance of the project — $7.9 million — will be paid through General Fund dollars allocated through a General Plan earmark.
Scottsdale voters were not asked to approve bond financing for affordable housing, and no bond financing will be used for The Residence at Paiute project.
According to the public record, people came to Scottsdale City Hall to express compassionate for those experiencing difficulties, but also sought clarification on where the dollars will come from to pay for the public effort. The following individuals spoke in support of the items:
- Darlene Newsom, a Phoenix resident
- Denise Resnick, who is with First Place AZ/Home is Where it all Starts
- Jackie Parks, with Community House
- Patrick Cunningham, a Scottsdale resident
- Mary Ellen Cunningham, a Scottsdale resident
- Alex McLaren, a Scottsdale resident
- Neal Shearer, a Scottsdale resident
- Becca Linnig, with the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors Government Affairs Committee
- Lee Cooley, a Scottsdale resident
- Alfredo Izmajtovich, who is with the Cesar Chavez Foundation
- Raoul Zubia, who is with the Partners for Paiute Board of Directors and The Charro Foundation
The following individuals spoke in support of these items, but noted concerns:
- Paul Rowe, a Scottsdale resident, spoke in support of the proposed renovations to the Paiute Neighborhood Center, but noted concerns with proposed costs of each housing unit.
- Nico Black, a Fountain Hills resident, spoke in support of the items, but requested additional housing choice vouchers for those who do not currently qualify for the program.
