I was at the recycling center early Wednesday morning, and my eye was drawn to the beautiful new building complex called Villas on Shelby. I meandered over to check it out and was impressed with how attractive it looked and the lovely details, including nice landscaping, covered parking and a joyful-looking kid's playground. My friend’s family had owned the lot before it was sold to the city, so I have watched the process with interest from beginning to end.
Sedona’s Villas on Shelby affordable housing project is now completed, with the 30-unit apartment complex expected to welcome its first residents any day now. The development is located at 2250 Shelby Drive and is described by the city as Sedona’s first deed-restricted affordable housing complex.
The project includes 24 one-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units. The apartments are intended for renters earning about 60% of the area median income, with approximate rents of $862 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,188 for a three-bedroom unit.
I was intrigued to learn more, so I called the leasing office and spoke with site manager Christian Petersen. He later let me come back and get more photos.
Petersen explained that the apartments are being filled through a lottery system. Applicants who choose to move forward with the lottery are then sent the application. He said applicants cannot make too much or too little to qualify.
To my surprise, there were still a number of openings.
“This is the guinea pig for Sedona,” he told me. "The mayor was here the other day, and she wants to promote more affordable housing and housing for Sedona workers who don’t want to commute."
He was enthusiastic about the building itself and the details, and I had to agree.
“This builder did a great job. It has one of the best views in affordable housing,” he said, looking out toward Thunder Mountain.
After I viewed the property and found out there were still 10 available units, I made a phone call. I have a friend, Nancy Zabalza, who has struggled to find a place to live in Sedona for over six months.
“It’s been impossible,” she said. “There is nothing available or the rates are out of reach.” She has been staying with family while she searches. She has worked full time in the past at a local spa and now at the hospital, and I thought she fit the description of the perfect person these apartments were created for.
After she put in her contact information, she said she felt hopeful.
“I feel good that I applied. It was simple and I think it’s a great price,” she said. She is waiting to hear back about the next steps. “It would help a lot. It would be a nice place to have with no commute.”