Aug 27th, 2009
Beginning in 2008 and continuing today, Stardust is assisting HAMC with planning and program development related to the redevelopment of the Coffelt-Lamoreaux (Coffelt) Public Housing neighborhood. Coffelt was constructed in 1952 and is located in an unincorporated island of Phoenix west of downtown. Consisting of 296 Low Rent Public Housing (LRPH) units, Coffelt is a low-density neighborhood that is approaching 60 years of age. While the dwellings are typical to the era of construction (slab on grade foundations, block exterior walls and evaporative cooling) the neighborhood around Coffelt has evolved from agriculture when it was built to light industrial. An adjoining elementary school operated by the Murphy School District (Hamilton) provides some amenities but the school is surrounded by outdoor storage, auto recycling yards, warehouses and I-17 (the Durango curve). There is no grocery or sundries available within walking distance. If Coffelt were proposed for development in this location today, no federal funds would be forthcoming because of the lack of services for the extremely low income population residing there.
Stardust has engaged residents in a discussion about their collective and individual housing preferences through a process of Social Asset Mapping. This exercise involved 36 undergraduate planning students in spring 2009 and involved youth, seniors and the families residing in Coffelt. The HAMC Board of Commissioners has been engaged in a process of strategic planning for the agency as a whole facilitated by Stardust. Next steps could include a work program, relocation and redevelopment plan and program. Capital funding support will be sought from Federal, State and local sources, including private capital (debt and equity). The goal of HAMC is to replace existing obsolete LRPH units with one or more mixed income communities that are sustainable from an economic and environmental standpoint. This work will occur in phases from 2010-2015 and will involve extensive resident involvement and community consultation.