Mayor Kate Gallego and the other members of the Phoenix City Council took vital steps on April 21, 2020, to assist the approximately 6600 people who do not have a home to live in.
After introducing plans to combat homelessness in March, they unanimously approved approximately $27 million of funds that will go towards assisting the homeless find housing and shelter.
According to AZ Central, the funds will be targeted in the following fashion:
- “Seniors and at-risk homelessness: $3.6 million
- Family homelessness: $2.1 million
- Single women homelessness: $1.83 million
- Single men homelessness: $1.89 million
- Youth homelessness: $80,000
- Housing programs: $13 million
- Business and nonprofit support: $4.8 million”
Following the vote, Mayor Gallego issued a statement which read:
” (The) Phoenix City Council unanimously approved the allocation of nearly $18 million dollars of federal COVID-19 funding to support vulnerable populations in the community. The money will be used to combat homelessness, address housing insecurity, and provide micro-loans and grants for local small businesses and non-profits. This vote represents the largest Community Block Development Grant investment toward combatting homelessness in the city’s history.”
“Of the many cruelties inflicted by COVID-19, perhaps none is greater than the fact it’s made the most vulnerable among us even more so. One of the most pertinent and immediate changes from today’s vote is the city will be moving our most vulnerable and at-risk residents into hotel rooms. While these funds are going to help the city respond to the very real and present danger of COVID-19, Phoenix is looking at these investments in the long term. The wrap-around services begun through these programs will have a positive ripple effect for years to come, not least of which is getting people into homes.”
“This is an opportunity to make real gains in fighting homelessness and emerge a stronger, more resilient, and compassionate community.”
Mayor Gallego, the members of the Phoenix Council, and their teams deserve to be commended for tackling such a vital issue affecting some of the most vulnerable in society.
These steps will greatly help in reducing the homeless population and providing a ladder for people to climb into better lives.
Hopefully, the policies approved last week will help lead to additional policies to help the homeless and provide affordable housing for the residents of Phoenix.
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