New Life Grows Under the Sun in Arizona
By Rebekah Graydon

HFH Valley of the Sun, near Phoenix, Ariz., is building more than houses; whole communities are springing to life. Since construction began on what will be a 193-house neighborhood called South Ranch II four years ago, some 150 houses have already been built. The community will ultimately include a 1.5-acre park in addition to the community center.

The community center, the result of a partnership with the Stardust Neighborhood Foundation and funded by Stardust Development Corporation, provides the means for what HFH Valley of the Sun vice president of development Donna MacDonald calls "social infrastructure."

Called "Stardust House," and designed to be a community and resource center, it provides a unique support system for stability and learning opportunities, according to director Francisca Montoya.

"The families in South Ranch II view the Stardust House as their home away from home," she says.

Programs include Head Start and after-school tutorials for 45 to 60 children. The city of Phoenix works in partnership with the affiliate to staff the programs. Stardust House is also home to a library and computer center. Services for adults include English and Spanish classes.

Another sign of an active, inclusive community is a homeowners' association. Funded by dues from South Ranch II homeowners, the association has a board of directors that meets monthly, a quarterly association meeting and a monthly newsletter. One of its priorities is neighborhood safety, so residents are encouraged to participate in a "Block Watch."

"Habitat is giving residents the tools to be leaders," MacDonald says.

This kind of community development is possible in part because of "outstanding" cooperation from city government and generous land gifts that have enabled HFH Valley of the Sun to establish large new neighborhoods, MacDonald says.

The South Ranch II neighborhood will be the model for future developments, and future development plans are lofty. This 13-year-old affiliate dedicated its 100th house in March 1999. It plans to finish the 200th by November.







Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, June/July 2000.
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©2000 Habitat for Humanity International