Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and the City Council approved millions in community housing support. The funding will support affordable housing, assistance and housing for the unsheltered and vulnerable, and close to 100 city arts and culture organizations. “Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in residents on the verge of losing their homes, and worse, some who have become unsheltered. Today’s actions are an investment in solutions for people and families,” Gallego said. The funds include an $8.1 million investment from the federal American Rescue Plan Act that will go toward an organization helping to lease and operate 120 hotel rooms for the unsheltered in addition to its programs of finding permanent housing for individuals. Other funds have been set up to create a meal delivery service for those who are homebound or with disabilities, to help aid victims of human trafficking, and to take additional steps to combat the housing crisis.

Update

Over the summer of 2022, Mayor Gallego and the City Council approved the American Rescue Plan Act Second Tranche Strategic Plan, including $70.5 million in affordable housing and homelessness programs. This includes a city and county partnership that opened a new shelter to provide day and nighttime relief from the summer heat for 200 people experiencing homelessness. People staying at the facility will have dedicated beds to sleep in, access to meals, and showers. The low barrier entry facility will also provide a secure place to store belongings, and allows pets. Additionally, individuals will have access to comprehensive case management services, and help obtaining identification, accessing medical and financial services, and connecting to employment and housing opportunities.

“Arizona’s summer heat can be deadly. We need to ensure that everyone, especially our most vulnerable residents, has a safe place to stay cool during our hottest months,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “This shelter is just one part of the City of Phoenix’s strong commitment to leading with services and connecting those who are unsheltered with the appropriate resources.”

Atlanta Councilmember Amir Farokhi’s resolution to provide housing subsidies for public safety personnel received unanimous approval from the city council. As rents continue to rise in Atlanta, Farokhi hopes that by helping to cover housing costs, public safety officers can afford to live where they work, help recruit and retain new officers, and also build trust between the community and those charged with protecting it. The resolutions will provide $500,000 from federal American Rescue Plan funds to help firefighters, corrections offices, and police officers live in the areas near their stations and the neighborhoods in which they work.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger will use $5 million in ARP funds, along with additional state and local funds, to spearhead an ambitious goal of doubling housing production and ending chronic homelessness in Vermont’s most populous city.

The initiative, announced in December 2021, aims to build 1,250 new homes over the next five years and end homelessness in the city in just three years. Weinberger stated that more than 300 of the new homes will be permanently affordable, and 78 of those will be dedicated to housing the formerly homeless. In order to accomplish the goal, Weinberger and other elected officials will change zoning regulations to build homes in enterprise districts and on underutilized properties.

Weinberger also expanded the city’s Property Tax Relief program, which provides financial relief to homeowners experiencing hardship during the pandemic. The program received $1 million of ARP funds and, so far, has distributed $470,000 in aid to about 330 households. The expanded eligibility criteria will help reach more families and ensure that the program is maximizing its impact in the community.

Mayor Tim Keller announced the initial allocation of $7 million in ARP funds for a first-in-the-nation youth center serving young adults ages 18 to 25 who are experiencing homelessness. Young people have limited resources and are particularly vulnerable to housing insecurity. The center will provide a safe residential facility for youth with age appropriate support services to help residents get on their feet.