PHOENIX — Arizona is awarding $16 million in grants to 19 community organizations and local governments to expand homeless shelters and support services statewide, according to Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Housing.
The money comes from the state’s Housing Trust Fund and will help groups build additional shelter units and maintain services for people experiencing homelessness, KTAR News reported.
UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix and Flagstaff Shelter Services will each receive $2 million, the largest individual grants. The City of Phoenix, the City of Tucson, Keys to Change, COPA Health and the Primavera Foundation will each receive $1 million.
Funding will also support organizations in Mesa, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott, Sierra Vista, Kingman and Bullhead City.
“Access to safe shelter is critical for the security and well-being of Arizonans,” Hobbs said. “With this funding, we will ensure more Arizona families have a roof over their heads and the services they need to get back on their feet.”
Department of Housing Director Ruby Dhillon-Williams said the agency received 78 applications for the $16 million available. UMOM CEO Monique Lopez said the money will help the nonprofit provide “safe shelter, stability and a pathway forward for hundreds of women experiencing homelessness each year.”
The state said the grants build on earlier spending under the Hobbs administration, including $60 million for the Homeless Shelter and Services Fund, $38 million through the State Housing Trust Fund for prevention and rapid rehousing, and $13.5 million for eviction prevention and homelessness response.
Sources: KTAR News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Myotus / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
