PHOENIX — On Tuesday Phoenix City Council voted unanimously to spend $27 million of CARE funding to help get the homeless off the streets and announced they will start moving people into hotel rooms. City leaders are using federal dollars from the CARES Act, the COVID-19 relief package approved by Congress
“To see everyone come together and unanimously vote for such an increased level of services for people experiencing homelessness, it was a great day for the City of Phoenix," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
The city says there are currently 2,380 unsheltered homeless individuals in Phoenix, which has increased 18% since last year.
Several stakeholders have taken action during the pandemic to help unsheltered people.
Maricopa County has secured temporary locations for vulnerable populations. Circle the City created 48 additional beds for individuals whose tests are pending and 10 beds for individuals confirmed COVID-19 positive.
The city is allocating $3,556,000 for vulnerable and at-risk individuals (seniors) including moving 100 individuals to an emergency shelter in the form of a hotel.
"Some communities have commandeered facilities. Our program in the City of Phoenix is a voluntary program, so the hotels are interested in working with us and want to be a part of supporting our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Gallego. The city is currently looking at a hotel around the airport area.
Gallego says the city’s ultimate goal is to end homelessness and that this major step is the start of achieving that beyond the pandemic.
Here's the breakdown of CARE funding:
- $ 2,100,000 for families including emergency shelter expansion of 25 beds, rapid rehousing for 100 additional families and a low-income energy assistance program.
- $ 1,830,000 for single women.
- $ 1,890,000 for single men.
- $ 80,000 for youth initiatives.
- Funding will help provide for a total of 200 Families 555 Individuals.
- $ 11,990,505 will go to COVID-19 Housing and Urban Development Federal Funding Sources.
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