Shovels are finally in the ground at the Helen Drake Senior Center, as Phoenix officials on April 10 kicked off construction on Helen Drake Village, an 80-unit affordable rental community for older adults. The three-story complex will sit right next to the existing senior center and will offer mostly one-bedroom apartments, along with a small number of two-bedroom units, reserved for households earning roughly 30% to 60% of the area median income. City leaders say the setup is intentional: residents will be just steps away from meals, activities and wellness programs instead of having to trek across town for basic services.
Project basics and timeline
Helen Drake Village is planned to deliver 74 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units for adults 55 and older, with the city aiming to finish construction in 2027, according to reporting by KTAR. The development will rise on city-owned land adjacent to the Helen Drake Senior Center and is being touted as Phoenix’s first combined senior housing and services campus. Early renderings and project descriptions point to shared spaces such as a community room, wellness studio, sports courts and a community garden.
Who’s building it
The Richman Group is serving as co-developer on Helen Drake Village and is leaning into amenities that encourage social connection and senior-friendly design. The Richman Group notes plans for pickleball courts, a fitness center, a resident lounge and raised garden beds. The development team says the building will emphasize accessibility, universal design and shared indoor and outdoor spaces intended to support independent senior living while still making it easy for neighbors to bump into each other.
City leaders weigh in
City officials are framing the project as a case study in how to put public land to work for long-term affordability. "Helen Drake Village represents the kind of strategic investment that strengthens Phoenix’s entire housing system," Phoenix Housing Director Titus Mathew said. Human Services Director Jacqueline Edwards called the co-location of housing and an active senior center "a huge win for older adults in Phoenix." The comments were included in a news release from the City of Phoenix that also highlighted project renderings and partner details.
Where it sits and what’s next
State housing documents list the project site at the Helen Drake Senior Center campus at 7600 N. 27th Ave., and identify the project as Helen Drake Village and the developer entity as TRG Helen Drake AM, LLC. Helen Drake Village appears on the tax-credit reservation list published by the Arizona Department of Housing, confirming its status in the state’s affordable housing pipeline.
City and developer representatives say Phase 1 will bring the initial 80 affordable units to the site, with room for additional phases if future demand and financing line up. Officials describe Helen Drake Village as part of a wider push to turn underused city land into long-term affordable housing for seniors and other residents. They are urging the public to watch city and developer housing channels for application and eligibility details as the project moves toward its 2027 completion target, while residents and advocates are already welcoming the focus on pairing housing with on-site services as construction gets underway.
