A new $12.9 million assisted living center for Yuma-area veterans will host an open house on Nov. 10, in honor of Veterans Day, with tours and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
In 2014, the Phoenix IDA issued $12.9 million in bonds to Family Housing Resources-Yuma ALF, LLC, to convert a former Clarion Suites hotel, located at 2600 S. Fourth Ave. in Yuma, into the assisted living center.
The Veterans Assisted Living for Veterans and Friends, a 3-story, 83,000-square-foot facility with 151 units, will serve 220 veterans and their spouses with daily living assistance needs. The facility, on 4.2 acres, will serve low-to-moderate income residents. JWL Construction and Maya’s Construction, both of Yuma, renovated the former hotel into the center.
“The Phoenix IDA is proud to be involved with a project to provide more affordable housing options for veterans,” said Juan Salgado, executive director of the Phoenix IDA. “As a conduit issuer of private activity bonds, the Phoenix IDA has a long history of providing access to capital for community and economic development projects in Arizona.”
November 10 Event
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Open House with tours of facility
4 p.m. – Yuma County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony and flag raising ceremony with elected officials. Representatives from the offices of Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake are expected to attend.
“Many veterans and their spouses cannot afford the help they need. The worst part is there are options available and they don’t know they exist,” said Deric Millis, marketing director for Veterans Assisted Living for Veterans and Friends. “Since we have begun this project, the response has been huge with more people calling all the time. The Veterans Assisted Living for Veterans and Friends will be the first private assisted living center exclusively serving a veteran community in the state.”
MMG Medical Management Group developed the project for Family Housing Resources of Tucson, a non-profit affordable housing provider, which owns the property. Solterra Senior Living of Scottsdale will oversee the day-to-day operations with MMG Medical Management Group of Yuma. About 80 – 100 staff members are expected to work at the facility.
Family Housing Resources owns 10 apartment properties with more than 1,700 units in Arizona. In addition, Family Housing Resources has helped more than 10,000 individuals obtain a home through its three major housing divisions: Homeownership, Mortgage Product Series and Multifamily Residential Services.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with MMG Medical Management Group in supporting our veterans in the Yuma area. There has been a great need to serve our veterans and their spouses. With our combined level of management expertise in senior care, housing and care opportunities are now finally available for our veterans,” said Nancy Bates, regional marketing director for Solterra Senior Living.
Solterra Senior Living is a family owned operation that began with the father/son team of Jeff and Steve Jorgenson in 2008. Solterra owns and manages assisted living/memory care properties in Chandler and Lakeside, Arizona and high-level, skilled nursing care in Phoenix and Castle Rock, Colo.
