ARIZONA NEWS

Maricopa County commits $28M in federal funds to address homelessness

Dec 8, 2021, 8:00 PM

PHOENIX – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday committed $28 million in federal COVID relief funds to address housing insecurity in metro Phoenix, including the addition of hundreds of shelter beds.

The board targeted $21 million for 352 new shelter beds, $4 million for rapid-rehousing services and $3 million to prevent the reoccurrence of homelessness.

The money will come out of the county’s $435 million allotment from the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed in March by congressional Democrats and signed by President Joe Biden.

“With the number of unsheltered people in Maricopa County steadily increasing over the last five years, this board made it a priority to put federal dollars to work to make sure this group of people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 have access to shelter and services that can help them get back on their feet,” Chairman Jack Sellers, one of four Republicans on the five-member board, said in a press release.

“Our goal is to distribute this money in a way that eases the burden of individuals and families while strengthening this important type of infrastructure.”

The county will collaborate with four nonprofit groups on the new shelter space, with $7,558,372 going to Community Bridges for 100 beds, $6 million to Tempe Community Action Agency for 80 beds, $6 million to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul for 100 beds, and $1,441,628 to UMOM for 72 beds.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Derek Chauvin, former Minneapolis police officer...

Associated Press

Inmate who stabbed Derek Chauvin 22 times charged with attempted murder

A federal inmate in Tucson was charged Friday with attempted murder in the prison stabbing of former police officer Derek Chauvin.

1 hour ago

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is seen before administering the oath of office to m...

Associated Press

Here are some excerpts of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s Supreme Court opinions

Here is a collection of excerpts from Supreme Court opinions by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who died Friday at age 93.

2 hours ago

(Colton Krolak/KTAR)...

Colton Krolak

The Mesa Temple Christmas lights continue through Dec. 31

The Christmas light display at the Mesa Temple of the Church of Latter-day Saints is back and free to the public.

3 hours ago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect a vehicle at the Lukeville Port of Entry on the...

Kevin Stone

Major Arizona border crossing to close, with staffing redirected to catch migrants

U.S. officials are closing the Lukeville Port of Entry on the Arizona-Mexico border Monday to better deal with a surge in illegal crossings.

5 hours ago

Mugshot of Steven Ray Gault III, who was booked into jail for manslaughter after a fatal shooting i...

KTAR.com

Woman dead, man jailed after night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix

A night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix this week ended with a woman dead and man behind bars, authorities said.

7 hours ago

FILE - Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor poses for a photo in 1982. O'Connor who ...

KTAR.com

Arizona leaders react to death of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

Arizona leaders offered tributes to retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor after the Grand Canyon State icon died Friday.

8 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(KTAR News Graphic)...

KTAR launches online holiday auction benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

KTAR is teaming up with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley for a holiday auction benefitting thousands of Valley kids.

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University: innovating Arizona health care education

Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus near Loop 101 and 59th Avenue is an established leader in health care education and one of Arizona’s largest and most valuable health care resources.

Maricopa County commits $28M in federal funds to address homelessness