Henson Village

The original Matthew Henson development, built between 1940 and 1960, was Phoenix’s first public housing development. These severely distressed barracks-style units were demolished in several phases and replaced with a mixed-income residential community. The new development, now home to nearly 600 families, was a mixed-financed neighborhood revitalization project using a federal HOPE VI grant program, private equity raised from low-income housing tax-credits and a FHA insured mortgage to revitalize a former public housing site in the Matthew Henson neighborhood of Central Phoenix. Matthew Henson Apartments, Senior Living at Matthew Henson, the Vernell Coleman Youth Center, and the Community Training & Education Center comprise the new Henson Village. The development is a mixed-income community with housing available to families of various incomes (public housing, tax credit and market-rate). The new mix of housing types includes single-family detached homes, multi-family garden apartments, duplex townhouses and a senior complex. Various green building features have been integrated into the community providing great environmental, economic, and social benefits.