Swift Aid for the Homeless: Tempe Allocates Nearly $1M in Funding
Tempe, along with six other Arizona cities and one county, is taking immediate action to address homelessness in the region. The city has secured $929,000 in state funds as part of a $20 million allocation to support its homelessness initiatives.
Mayor Corey Woods of Tempe expressed the city’s commitment to upgrading its city-run shelter and expanding outreach efforts to assist individuals in finding permanent housing solutions.
The funding request highlighted the city’s increased engagement with the homeless population, with a 10% rise in outreach activities. The allocated funds will be utilized for several key purposes, including rehabilitating fire-damaged rooms and equipping them with two full-sized beds, improving plumbing systems to enhance capacity, enhancing security patrols, expanding shelter capacity through hotel/motel vouchers to accommodate an additional 20 individuals or families, and bolstering existing street outreach programs.
According to State Housing Director Joan Serviss, the decision to allocate funds to specific communities does not reflect a judgment on the quality of proposals. The funding allocation process involved prioritization due to the overwhelming number of requests, which exceeded the available grant funds of $20 million. The speed at which a community could implement the funds was a significant factor in the decision-making process.
However, communities that did not receive funding in this round will have another opportunity to apply for a separate $40 million fund that will become available later in the year.
Arizona has a Housing Trust Fund that has received a significant financial boost of $150 million from the Legislature for the upcoming fiscal year, in addition to $60 million provided this year. These funds can be utilized for a broader range of housing programs, including preventing homelessness and supporting the construction of affordable housing.
To address the immediate needs of the homeless population, the state government established a separate Homeless Shelter and Services Fund. This fund aims to swiftly address the homelessness crisis by prioritizing quick occupancy housing solutions.
The focus on urgent action highlights the state’s commitment to addressing homelessness promptly and effectively. Providing necessary funding to communities like Tempe, Arizona aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness.
