Arizona receives more than $8M in federal funds to combat homelessness
Mar 3, 2021, 12:00 PM
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX — More than two dozen Arizona organizations working to combat homelessness will receive $8 million in federal funding, the Governor’s Office announced Wednesday.
The total $8,188,836 comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Solutions Grant program, responding to the effects of COVID-19 on communities in need.
All 31 organizations that applied for the grant will receive a portion of the funds to aid their efforts in providing rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, emergency shelter services and more.
“We want to ensure struggling families and those facing homelessness have access to the support and resources they need to keep a roof over their heads,” Gov. Doug Ducey said in a press release. “This additional funding will help more people in need connect with crucial health and safety services provided across the state.”
This newest funding follows nearly $5 million distributed to homeless organizations statewide in December 2020 and the nearly $6 million distributed in July 2020.
“Individuals who are experiencing homelessness and the communities dedicated to serving them continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic,” Michael Wisehart, Arizona Department of Economic Security director, said in the release.
“This additional round of funding is crucial to ensuring these services remain available to struggling Arizonans.”