CHANDLER, Ariz. — The City of Chandler and Gorman & Company celebrated the grand opening of Villas on McQueen on Tuesday, marking the completion of Chandler’s first public housing project converted through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. The 157-unit affordable housing development replaces two public housing communities originally built in 1972 that served Chandler families for more than 50 years.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke and City Councilmembers, Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart, representatives from the Arizona Department of Housing, Maricopa County, City of Chandler staff and commissioners, Gorman & Company and HUD, recognized community artists whose artwork is featured throughout the property.
“Villas on McQueen is a milestone that has been years in the making, and I’m honored to celebrate what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “These modern, affordable homes replace aging public housing with safe, dignified places to live. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our partners, city staff and residents who helped shape this vision. This project reaffirms our commitment that Chandler should be a place where people of every income level can thrive.”
The $58 million development enables 78 households from two existing Chandler public housing communities to relocate to brand-new homes while also creating an additional 79 affordable housing units. The 78 replacement units offer one-, two, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, and the remaining 79 units are available to families earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.
Financing for Villas on McQueen was made possible through seven separate funding sources, including the Arizona Department of Housing, Maricopa County, City of Chandler, RBC Community Investments, Stonehenge Capital, Capital One, and Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust.
“Villas on McQueen represents more than new housing, it’s a broader commitment of reinvestment in people and neighborhoods,” says Sally Schwenn, Arizona Market President, Gorman & Company. “Gorman & Company is honored to celebrate this integral affordable housing community in Chandler, a place where residents can feel connected and supported, and most importantly, proud to live.”
Located at 77 N. McQueen Road, just one block from a high-frequency bus route, the development offers residents easy access to schools, healthcare providers, parks and employment opportunities. The property is designed to serve a diverse resident population, including seniors, veterans, individuals with developmental disabilities and families.
Villas on McQueen features a broad range of amenities designed to encourage connection, learning, wellness and community engagement. Residents will have access to a meditation room, book nook, maker space, fitness center, clubhouse, and multiple indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. The city will also provide an on-site resident services program.
The project’s origins date back to 2019, when city staff first toured affordable housing communities in neighboring cities that had successfully used the RAD program. By March 2020, staff presented redevelopment scenarios to the Chandler City Council, and resident engagement began in August 2020. The development broke ground on June 27, 2024, and completed construction 24 months later.
For more information on housing opportunities at the new site, visit Villas on McQueen.
About Gorman & Company
Gorman & Company is a leader in community revitalization through a dedication to high-quality, affordable, workforce, public, and senior housing nationwide. Headquartered in Wisconsin and celebrating 40 years of neighborhood revitalization, Gorman & Company has been recognized as one of the nation’s top “Affordable Housing Developers” by Affordable Housing Finance magazine for more than a decade. For more information, visit Gorman & Company.
About the City of Chandler, Ariz.
Chandler, Arizona has built a reputation as a Community of Innovation. Known for its rich diversity, the city offers an outstanding quality of life for all generations with great schools and recreational opportunities. Chandler has grown to become the state's fifth-largest city with a population of more than 293,000. The city also is one of the safest communities in the nation and boasts AAA bond ratings from all three national rating agencies, one of a select few cities and towns nationally to receive this prestigious designation. For more information, visit City of Chandler, or connect with Chandler on social media.
Media contacts:
Melissa Badini
Marketing & Communications, Gorman & Company
Cassandra DeGuide
Senior Account Executive, The Creative Company
608-442-6336
Stephanie Romero
Public Information Officer, City of Chandler
480-782-2231