Phoenix focuses on affordable housing with final allocation of federal relief funding

PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council this week approved the allocation of its final $198 million of federal COVID-19 relief funding, with an eye on combating homelessness.

The money, which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, will fund 31 programs, the city said in a press release.

The majority of the funding, $70.5 million, will go toward affordable housing and homelessness programs.

“The city’s strategic use of ARPA funding strongly positioned the quick recovery, and new investments will be transformational for critical needs around affordable housing and homelessness,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in the release.

“This second tranche supports our most vulnerable residents and builds on proven success of creating a more equitable, sustainable, and promising future.”

Resilient food system programs will also get $7 million to support meal preparation and delivery, farmland preservation, food banks and pantries.

Another focus of the allocation is sustainable projects, with $6 million being dedicated to increasing tree canopy cverage and planting trees at schools, $3 million for shade structures in the public right-of-way and $2.9 million for new playground elements and resurfacing of athletic courts at city parks.

Phoenix Public Libraries also get $600,000 to continue its hotspot lending program.

The city received $398 million when the legislation was passed by Congress last year, with the city council approving a strategic plan for the first part of the money in June 2021.

A breakdown of American Rescue Plan Act allocations, expenditures and program summaries can be viewed on the city’s website.

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