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American Rescue Plan Act
Neighborhood Sustainability
Overview
The pandemic has disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color which experienced high rates of transmission, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19. Many of the hardest-hit neighborhoods have a high percentage of other health and socioeconomic disparities. Programs in this category strive to build stronger communities through various neighborhood investments.
Explore Programs
Family Assistance Resource Program
This program is providing 1,000 families with children a $1,000 per month financial assistance grant for 12 months. Eligible households include Emergency Rental Assistance applicants, residents of City-owned public housing properties, and Section 8 voucher holders. Selection occurred via a lottery system.
Many households experienced a loss of income or a job loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program's objective is to provide monthly assistance to help families stay in their homes, maintain current employment, and provide childcare assistance. All families experienced a negative economic impact as a result of the pandemic as they previously qualified for emergency rental assistance, reside in public housing, or receive a Section 8 voucher.
Financial Assistance for Phoenix Refugee and Asylee Community
Funds were used to support five nonprofit agencies that served the refugee and asylee community. Families entered the United States with little to no resources and needed assistance navigating their new community. The pandemic exacerbated this need as social services were limited in 2020. The program assisted residents who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 with services to find employment, temporary housing, and resources for medical care.
Residential Tree Equity Accelerator & Trees and Shade for Schools
For the program, three grant programs were developed for sites in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs):
- Community Canopy: grants for individuals, neighborhood groups, business owners and multifamily sites for trees, services and support for planting at single family and multifamily residences, churches and businesses.
- Canopy for Kids: grants for public school districts, nonprofit schools and youth education focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits for funding for trees, services, and education for plantings on their campuses.
- Shade for Students: grants for public school districts, nonprofit schools and youth education focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits to install built shade on their campuses.
The program improved access to tree and built shade in the hottest parts of the City with the lowest tree and shade canopy coverage.
Airport Childcare Facility
The department will utilize $2 million to allocate funds to provide vouchers to airport employees for use at childcare facilities. The Aviation Department has selected a site at the 44th Street Sky Train station to construct a purpose-built facility, using approximately $3.7 million in Aviation capital funds to construct the facility shell, and up to $3 million for tenant improvements to build out the facility. Airport employees will receive a scholarship to use any First Things First Quality First childcare facility in Mariciopa County.
Applicants will need to meet the household income criteria to be considered eligible. Many families struggled to balance both employment and childcare needs during the pandemic and this program aims to increase access to childcare, increase stability of care, and increase employment retainment for applicants.
Edison Impact Hub (Thash Mahd Community Center)
The funding supports the conversion of the historic children's hospital into the Thash Mahd Community Center (previously Edison Impact Hub), a versatile space that caters to a variety of community needs. It will house a medical and behavioral health clinic, a community commercial kitchen, digital training and workspace, community gardens, classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices for city partners and caseworkers. The facility will also offer workforce development programs and a variety of classes, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
Shade Structures
Fund 19 free-standing shade structures in the public right-of-way to improve walkability in neighborhoods with limited shade coverage. Three local artists were selected to contribute artwork on modular components of the shade structures that reflect local context and culture and meet engineering and safety standards for public infrastructure. Construction is ongoing expected to be completed in Spring of 2026.
Phoenix Parks Improvements
Improved Phoenix parks in three main areas:
- Incorporated new and/or adaptive playground elements and features to new and existing playgrounds where feasible to increase accessibility to outdoor play for youth with all abilities.
- Resurfaced, renovated and/or converted athletic courts in 20eight parks with underutilized courts and/or parks experiencing negative activity to help further activate the park with meaningful recreational opportunities for youth.
- Installed additional WalkPHX paths and fitness stations at eight parks to increase accessibility to free fitness equipment and opportunities.
Area Agency on Aging’s Goods2HOME
During the height of the pandemic, the CDC recommended preventive behaviors to reduce infection among at-risk populations, including staying at home and avoiding public places such as grocery stores and shopping centers. In response to these recommendations, the Goods2Home Program was created by the Area Agency on Aging, Region One (AAA), to assist seniors in obtaining household products. This program delivered critical medication, sanitation, and nutrition supplies to low-income, disabled, and homebound seniors. Funds continued to support the AAA’s Goods2Home Program, which the City had supported with CARES Act funds in 2020.
Vacant Storefront Improvement Assistance
The program provided financial assistance to two retail/commercial building owners in qualified census tracts to maintain and enhance exterior of properties. This work helped set up growth for areas to restore local retail options, increase property occupancy, and contribute to long-term neighborhood revitalization.
Memory Café Program
Funds were used to initiate the City’s Memory Café program for senior center members and their caregivers. Memory Cafés stimulated participants through music therapy, art, and memory exercises, and were a key contributor to the Dementia Friendly City initiative. To enhance the Memory Café program, A.T. Still University was provided with $400,000 to deliver CarePLaCe Program services to caregivers of individuals living with early to moderate dementia who participated in the Memory Café program.
Bus Card Subsidy
Funds provided subsidies and fare assistance to residents that rely on public transportation. Various nonprofits were provided a number of passes to provide to low-income families in need at a number of locations throughout the City. Passes are providing access to employment, child care, medical services, grocery stores, and more.
Parsons Center for Health and Wellness – Southwest Center for HIV and Aids Contract
Funds provided operational and facility support to the Parson’s Center for Health and Wellness, located at 1101 N. Central Avenue. Operational services included primary care and mental health services. During the operational period, the Southwest Center provided services to over 3,653 individuals, the primary health clinic providers had 8,987 visits, and the mental health providers had over 7,717 visits.
After-School Grant for Phoenix Schools
Funds were available for school districts and charter schools who committed to providing free or affordable after-school programs in-line with the Phoenix After-School Center (PAC) program. Schools were located in Qualified Census Tracts and assisted students who had experienced negative economic impacts as a result of the pandemic. By offering free or affordable after-school programs, these grants ensured that financial barriers did not prevent children from accessing these valuable opportunities.
Heat Relief Program
Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation is leading the efforts of the hottest large city in the United States to fight the growing hazard of urban heat. To expand the reach of heat relief outreach efforts across the City, ARPA funds were used to develop a heat relief grant program for community non-profits and to provide additional support for the City’s We’re Cool heat relief outreach program during the 2023 and 2024 summers. The Heat Relief Grant enabled organizations to procure heat relief supplies and distribute them to communities disproportionately impacted by heat as well as support operational costs of Heat Relief Network sites during the summer months. The program overall provided heat relief supplies, supported Heat Relief Network sites, shared information about community cooling resources, and helped connect residents to social services, especially in areas where heat-related health challenges occurred more frequently.
Youth Sports League Grants
Funds were used to offer financial assistance or stipends to at-risk, underserved, and low- income youth to participate in youth sports and recreational leagues; and enabled Phoenix non-profits to offer free youth sports activities during after-school hours. At the height of the pandemic, recreational leagues were closed and low-income families continued to struggle to pay for recreation leagues for their children. The program engaged youth, who otherwise would not have been able to participate in sports, access to recreation programs and increased physical activity.
For more information, please visit the Parks and Recreation ARPA website.
Park Activation Grants Program
The Park Activation Grant Program was a community focused initiative designed to reduce negative behaviors in parks such as drug use, vandalism, theft, and the misuse of amenities by supporting positive and inclusive events. Grant funding helped 47 neighborhood groups host over 200 events in 39 park locations. Activities included health workshops, movie nights, community celebrations, sports and fitness programs in local parks. The initiative reinforced the City’s commitment to making Phoenix parks vibrant, safe, and accessible spaces for all residents.