A series of ruthless break-ins has wreaked havoc on an affordable housing project in Phoenix, compromising the security and future of its intended low-income residents. Nancy Marion, the executive director of the Community Housing Partnership, faced the destruction of three 4-plex apartment units under renovation to house families in dire need of affordable living spaces, reported AZFamily. "Every time I walk back into these units, it’s just surreal that anybody would come in and do this to somebody else," Marion told the publication.
Striving to combat the city's affordable housing shortage, the nonprofit had just started to turn the dilapidated units around. The burglars, however, managed to quickly unduly upend months of work. They first struck on March 11, ripping copper wiring from the attic, and persistently returned to further strip the buildings, causing ceilings to collapse and leaving behind damaged AC units and electrical boxes, as ABC15 described. With renovations set back indefinitely, Marion lamented the broad-reaching impact: "This damages taxpayers, this damages contractors. This damages the people in our community," she explained.
Marion, whose organization's efforts were funded through a federal grant and their contributions, had pushed for these renovations to provide dignified homes for twelve families in desperate need of assistance. The intended monthly rent was pegged at $915, utilities included a figure that fell into the lowest 10% in Maricopa County. The break-ins have resulted in potentially $500,000 in damages, though the total amount covered by insurance remains to be seen.
The Community Housing Partnership is forced to regroup and recover from this setback. Despite the damage, Marion remains resolute, determined to not let such crimes derail their mission. "No non-profit will be stopped by something like this because we care about the people we serve," she staunchly conveyed to AZFamily. A 24/7 security camera now overlooks the properties, and authorities are involved, with Phoenix Police having taken three reports at the location and urging anyone with information to come forward by calling the tip line established by Marion's nonprofit at (480) 420-8045.
