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American Rescue Plan Act
Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Overview
The pandemic exacerbated the national crises of individuals suffering from homelessness. Social services and safe, open spaces were limited in 2020 and the economic consequences of the pandemic have put more Americans at the risk of entering homelessness. The programs below provide services to address housing affordability and the homelessness crisis.
Explore Programs
Homelessness Projects
Homelessness Projects include Rio Fresco, Lutheran Social Services emergency shelter, the Safe Outdoor Space (SOS), and Keys to Change’s Campus programming.
• Rio Fresco emergency hotel: The CBI 117-room emergency hotel opened in the fall of 2022 and became a permanent asset in the homeless service system in 2023. Funds supported operational costs and wraparound services.
• Lutheran Social Services emergency shelter: The IHelp program began operations in the fall of 2022 and provided overnight shelter via rotating congregations and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness. Funds supported operational costs and wraparound services.
• SOS: Launched November 2023 to provide up to 200 alternative safe sleeping spaces (uniform tent, storage container, and bedding) in a structured campground for unsheltered people living in the area surrounding the Key Campus. Funds will be utilized for ongoing operation and building maintenance needs.
• Keys to Change Key Campus: Allocates funding to support essential services, facility operations, and homelessness response activities (365 days per year, 24/7) at the Key Campus Welcome Center operated by Keys to Change. Additionally, the project includes outreach efforts aimed at connecting with individuals outside the Campus property, including those found in the rights-of-way in the area of 12th Avenue and Madison, further expanding the reach of vital services and resources.
Heat Response/Temporary Shelter
The Heat Response and Temporary Shelter project consists of Washington Relief Shelter and the Key Campus Weather Relief shelters. The Washington Relief Shelter provides beds for 200 -260 individuals, meals, medical and behavioral health services, and connections to services and housing. Funds are also used for ongoing operations and building maintenance. Key Campus Weather relief shelters operated during Summer 2023 and provided additional areas for heat respite including cooled tents and buses, and bathrooms.
Utility & Rental Assistance
The Utility and Rental Assistance Program provided emergency rental and utility bill assistance to low-income Phoenix households to ensure they remain stably housed and not at risk of eviction and/or possible homelessness. This program includes three assistance programs: the Human Services Department Utility and Rental Assistance Program, the Housing Department Landlord Incentive Program, and the Water Services Department Deferred Payment Arrangement Program.
- • Utility and Rental Assistance Program - One key finding from the City’s ERA Programs was that many Phoenix households above the 80% AMI threshold were also in need of rental and utility assistance as they experienced a COVID-19 impact, such as loss of employment or loss of income. Because of the increased demand from this unserved population, the City expanded the eligibility threshold between 80%-120% AMI and allowed for self-attestation to a negative economic COVID-19 impact. This also included additional funding for the Community Legal Services contract which provided legal assistance, advocacy, and representation to low-income residents experiencing eviction and related court action. Funds also supported urgent needs of over 150 mobile home residents, provided housing navigation, benefit application assistance and case management to residents in need.
- • Landlord Incentive Program – The program provided housing incentives to landlords to accept Section 8 Vouchers from residents. The COVID-19 pandemic made it more difficult for households to achieve housing stability as many faced the prospects of homelessness. This program aimed to increase housing stability by providing affordable units to residents.
- • Deferred Payment Arrangement Program - The program served low-income residents who were unable to pay their City Service bill, which included both the water and solid waste utility. Residents self-attested to a negative economic COVID-19 impact to receive services.
City Services Deferred Payment Arrangement Recovery Program – See Residential Grants
Affordable Housing Program – GAP Financing and Moreland Program
The Affordable Housing Gap Financing Program aims to support the creation of new affordable housing units by providing funds to fill a financial gap to successfully close and complete construction.
Hotel Acquisition and Renovation
Funding was allocated to acquire the Super 8 Hotel with the purpose of converting it into affordable rental housing units with on-site supportive services. A majority of the funding was used for the building acquisition, and the remainder will be used for renovation costs to convert the building to apartment units. In addition to providing affordable rental housing units, the site will offer on-site supportive services. By integrating supportive services within the housing complex, the City of Phoenix aims to provide a comprehensive approach to address the needs of the residents and help them achieve long-term stability.
Homelessness and Mental Health
Funding was approved for Phoenix Rescue Mission (PRM) and Mercy Care to address homelessness and mental health services. Their goal was to make a positive impact by providing support, resources, and opportunities to improve the lives of those in need.
• PRM's Phoenix Will Work Program focused on providing employment opportunities, homeless outreach, and navigation services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Participants earned wages by conducting beautification projects and performing landscaping duties, addressing barriers to housing.
• Mercy Care offered outreach, counseling and therapy; assisted with Medicaid/Medicare enrollment; and provided eviction prevention services, short-term rental assistance, and transitional housing for eligible residents.
St. Vincent de Paul Transitional Housing Project
Funding was provided to St. Vincent de Paul to build 100 new transitional housing beds for people experiencing homelessness and opened in May 2024. Wraparound services were included at the facility to provide case management services to tenants. This expanded affordable housing options for people previously experiencing homelessness and addressed the pressing need for safe and affordable housing, creating opportunities for individuals to secure stable housing and break the cycle of homelessness.
XWing Non-Congregate Shelter Project and 71st Avenue
A top priority of the City is to find creative solutions to address homelessness as rapidly as possible. Program includes funding for construction, operational and supportive services at the Phoenix Navigation Center (PNC). The funding covers structural and operational costs for the PNC which provides congregate shelter for up to 200 individuals via sprung structures and non-congregate shelter for up to 80 individuals via X-Wings. In addition to congregate shelter, the Sprung Structures will be used for communal spaces, bathrooms and showers, shaded outdoor areas, amenities for pets, storage, laundry, and other amenities.
The City contracts with Community Bridges, Inc. to offer supportive services and case management. Additionally, the City contracts with St. Vincent de Paul’s to administer a workforce readiness program through the Neighborhood Brigade program.
Community Land Trust Program
The Community Land Trust Program will support the creation of permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income households.
US Vets and Veteran Relief
The U.S. Vets and Veteran Relief project is currently under construction. Once completed, it will offer housing and supportive services to U.S. veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. This 140-unit facility aims to provide both transitional and permanent supportive housing. Project demographics will be provided once the construction is completed, and the facility is occupied.
Summer Heat Respite
A sprung structure was constructed to provide a place of respite during the summer for individuals experiencing homelessness. The sprung structure was completed in May 2022 and provided guests with a place to socially distance during the pandemic and continued to provide meals, outreach, and other supports. It has evolved from a summer respite to a space where individuals homelessness receive case management services. Funds were also used to provide temporary shade structures in the summer of 2021.
The pandemic exacerbated the national crises of individuals suffering from homelessness. Social services and safe, open spaces were limited in 2020 and the economic consequences of the pandemic have put more Americans at the risk of entering homelessness. This structure increased access to services for disproportionately impacted groups such as those experiencing homelessness as they were able to find respite in times of extreme heat and make contact with social service agencies..
Justa Center
Justa Center provides outreach, housing placement, and supportive service for seniors (55+) who are experiencing homelessness. The funds were utilized to expand outreach and engagement services, non-urgent facility base card care and housing support services such as move in-kits, classes on independent living, weekly check-in visits from a social worker, assistance with scheduling health care related appointments, and transportation to health care appointments.
Homeless Youth Reunification Program
The Homeless Youth Reunification Program included two programs, one with A New Leaf and one with the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program at Aeroterra. Both programs provided support to youths (ages 5-24) to be reconnected with family/friends, pay for housing deposits and other move-in needs and unexpected barriers that prevent youth from exiting homelessness. With A New Leaf, a total of 37 participants were served and with the PSH Program at Aeroterra, a total of 110 participants were served.
Transit Heat Relief Program
The goal of this summer program was to provide a 40-foot bus at the Human Services Campus where individuals experiencing homelessness are located to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths among vulnerable populations. The program ran from July 2021 to September 2021. Total number of individuals on the bus was tracked by the hour each day. These numbers may have been duplicated throughout the day.
Visit the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) page for Transit Heat Relief and/or the full data on the City's Open Data portal.
Homelessness Support Services
The program funded five temporary positions in the Office of Homeless Solutions to assist with homelessness services through June 2025.
CASS Haven Project
The CASS Haven temporary hotel shelter project provided emergency shelter operations and services for individuals, identified by the City, who were 55 and older experiencing homelessness. Essential services offered include case management, childcare, education, employment assistance, health services, legal aid, life skills training, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and transportation assistance. A total of 74 people were served at the shelter.
Homeless Services – Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)
Program provides essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness who are seeking emergency shelter at Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) single adult shelter and Vista Colina family shelter. Case management will include supportive services with regular meetings, resource provision, and support for the client.
Overnight Summer Heat Respite
Program provides comprehensive support and refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness during the 2024 and 2025 summer months. This includes a 24/7 heat relief site, an overnight heat respite site, and contracted navigation services at the identified City of Phoenix libraries. Services, provided via Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI), include referrals, transportation, and navigation services, among other services. In Summer 2024, the five operated heat respite sites, nearly 36,000 visits were made.
Mercy House Contract
Program provided for the short-term extension (Sept. 1 – Nov. 30, 2024) of temporary emergency shelter operations and services through Mercy House for individuals experiencing homelessness and identified by the City's Office of Homeless Solutions. The program provided services to 61 people and supported 17 in exits to positive housing destinations.
Cooling Pavilion
In partnership with the State of Arizona, a Cooling Pavilion was constructed at the Keys to Change Key Campus and opened October 2024. The Cooling Pavilion is a structure constructed from converted shipping containers and utilizes evaporative cooling technology to lower the outdoor ambient air temperature by 25 degrees. The pavilion provides an open-air area open to all clients and visitors of the Campus, providing heat respite. The Cooling Pavilion will provide shade and cooler temperatures in an outdoor setting during the summer months, decreasing the likelihood of an individual experiencing heat-related illness. It is anticipated 1,000 people per day will have access to this resource.