Shovels at the groundbreaking of the Milagro on Oracle apartment complex in Tucson, Ariz., on Aug 24, 2023.
The low-income housing complex that replaced the No-Tel Motel filled two-thirds of its units before official notice of leasing went out.
Milagro on Oracle, the 63-unit apartment complex on Grant and Oracle, is now taking applications for about 20 unfilled units.
Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Tucson Johanna Hernandez said the high interest is proof of the housing crisis.
“We know we have this need. I don't know that there's anyone left in Tucson that could say we're not in a housing crisis and we don't have this need,” she said.
Hernandez said units began filling even before construction was complete.
“Within a couple months, we just had people stopping at the construction site to ask when it was going to be available,” she said.
Hernandez said the complex has its own waitlist, separate from the general waitlist for public housing, and qualified renters should still apply to be added.
The Milagro is specifically for those 55 and up who are at or below 60% the area median income. Hernandez said this amounts to individuals making $37,500 a year or less.
Studio rent starts at $406 a month, one bedroom at $437 a month, and two bedrooms at $524 a month, but rents vary depending on the renter’s annual income. Residents will be charged 30% of their annual income with a cap at $940, the maximum affordable rent.
An annual income of $18,750 would amount to a maximum rent of $470 per month, for example.
The first renters moved in Dec. 23, Hernandez said, with the rest anticipated later this month. 19 units in the complex are reserved for tenants making less than $18,000 a year or who have recently experienced homelessness.
Amenities include a fitness center, community room, picnic area, walking trail, on-site laundry, and free Wi-Fi.
Construction began in August 2023, in conjunction with the Tucson nonprofit El Pueblo Housing Development. It was the first low income housing project in the city in ten years.
El Pueblo has a number of similar affordable housing projects, including developing the Amazon Motel and refurbishing the Tucson House, expected to make progress in 2025.
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