City of Mesa maps small, but unique, housing plan

M esa plans to sell three city-owned parcels in the Washington Escobedo Heritage community to Habitat For Humanity Central Arizona to build three to six low-income housing units.

Council at its Oct. 2 study session gave the go-ahead for staff to structure a deal that will come back for consideration in early 2026. The neighborhood is bounded from Center Street to Mesa Drive and 6th Street to University Drive.

“Back in the mid-1980s and 1990s the city led a revitalization effort in this area,” said Jeffrey Robbins Redevelopment Program administrator. “The city purchased 54 parcels and the intent of the purchase was expressly for single-family homes.”

Many of the homes in that neighborhood today iresulted from the partnership between Mesa and Habitat for Humanity, Robbins said.

“That hi