A Civil War-era fort in Prescott may not be the most likely place to create affordable housing for veterans, but Gorman & Co. decided to do just that.
Fort Whipple opened in 1863 and some of its officers’ quarters date back more than 100 years, to the early 1900s.
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and using a low-income housing tax credit, Gorman is creating 126 one- and two-bedroom apartments for veterans.
“Some of these residents haven’t had an actual home in a while,” said Luis Verger, a vice president of property management at Gorman and board vice president of the Arizona Multihousing Association. “It is a very unique project.”
Verger said the Fort Whipple redevelopment won’t be just about housing. Instead, Gorman is working with U.S.VETS to offer services and resources such as workforce development, counseling and healthcare.
An important part of the project for Gorman was preserving the history of Fort Whipple during its reconstruction.
“We took those six buildings, we kept all the original features. They are pretty historic,” Verger said of the officers’ quarters. “We kept the double-sided fire places, hardwood floors. We maintained all of that. We were able to deliver some amazing units.”
The development also features meeting rooms and common areas for residents.
The housing campus is essentially two separate projects.
The officers’ quarters contain 23 mostly 1-bedroom units. Then Gorman created 80 new units in a multistory building.
Gorman used a federal low-income housing tax credit, known as LIHTC, to help finance the project. All residents will be placed through the Veterans Affairs department and will receive federal rent subsidies.
Already, the officers’ quarters are filled and Verger expects the 80-unit building to open for move-ins in June. He said there’s already a waiting list of about 50 people approved as soon as a certificate of occupancy is issued.
The partnership with U.S.VETS, a non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness among veterans, provides wrap-around services to veterans looking to get back on their feet. For instance, the organization can help provide cell phones and other essentials.
These veterans “have been living in their cars, on the streets,” Verger said. “We are providing homes to people.”
