New affordable housing complex in Tucson fills up before it officially opens

Even before the finishing touches were complete on the newest affordable housing complex in Tucson, a “no vacancy” sign was needed.

Four of the seven buildings that comprise Newport Rodeo, on Nogales Highway, south of Irvington Road, are full.

The units in the three other buildings are leased and will be occupied by the end of the month, even as developers plan a “grand opening” event for late March.

“The property manager said we could have filled it two times over,” said David Wohl, president of Newport SW LLC.

The 77-unit complex has 30 three-bedroom units, 35 two-bedroom units and 12 one-bedroom units.

Rents range from $855 to $1,184 a month.

“There’s such a limited supply of affordable housing, particularly for families, especially large families,” Wohl said, “which is why we put in as many three-bedroom units as we could.”

Recognizing both the need for affordable housing and the local government’s willingness to facilitate building them, a California developer has gone all in on Tucson.

Irvine, California-based Newport has partnered with a local housing consultant to identify lots in the Tucson area that can be developed into affordable apartment complexes.

Wohl worked as a housing consultant in Tucson since 1998 and partnered with Newport in 2018.

“They came to me,” he said. “They wanted someone on the ground in Arizona.”

The first complex developed, Newport at Amphi, on Stone Avenue and Prince Road, quickly filled its 40 units upon opening in early 2022.

The company recently bought a vacant parcel at 4431 E. 22nd St., near Swan Road, for a third project — this time for affordable senior housing.

Newport bought the 95,753-square-foot lot for $735,000 and plans to build 72 units in a three-story complex.

It will feature 66 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.

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There will be 22 units set aside for formerly homeless seniors and on-site services will be available, Wohl said.

The rest of the units will be available to renters making between 40% and 60% of the area median income, which is currently about $52,000.

Tenants will be able to use vouchers from the city and county for rental assistance.

“It’s an interesting site, in that it’s flagpole shaped,” Wohl said. “But there’s a bus stop right there, it’s near and park and a library.”

Called Belvedere Terrace, the complex will have a dog park and fitness center.

Construction is expected to begin this summer with an 18-month buildout.

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Fulfilling a need

According to a recent report by Rent Café, Tucson’s apartment market remains very competitive with an occupancy rate of nearly 93%.

The rate of renewal of apartments is 64.5% – higher than the national average of 61.5%, the report shows.

The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is about $1,200 and more than $1,500 for all types of rentals, including townhomes, duplexes and single family homes.

Wohl said Newport is very interested in finding more opportunities to build apartments.

“It’s a really good environment to do affordable housing because there’s so much recognition of the needs and the local government is a great partner,” Wohl said. “They know the need and they know the obstacles.”

The City of Tucson, Pima County and the state housing department all helped facilitate the new complexes.

“The one thing I would wish for is that there was more land available,” Wohl said. “But unfortunately, there’s no factory that manufactures land.”