PHOENIX — The House Democratic Caucus has directed more than $4 million from President Biden's American Rescue Plan Act to nearly a dozen non-profit organizations working to end homelessness, and to provide affordable housing, childcare, mental health, and domestic violence services to Arizonans impacted by COVID-19. Today Governor Ducey announced the funding approvals as part of a larger package of federal housing relief identified and directed in conjunction with the Senate Democratic Caucus.
Earlier this year, Gov. Ducey agreed to work with legislative Democrats to direct $90 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to agencies or organizations selected and vetted by the caucuses, which the House and Senate split evenly. Today's announcement was the first outlay from those Democratic Caucus funding requests.
"Our caucus members spent countless hours identifying and vetting worthy organizations positioned to make a major impact on Arizona families and small businesses throughout the state which are still recovering from the ongoing pandemic," said House Democratic Leader Reginald Bolding. "We are gratified to help put these funds from the President's plan to work combating homelessness and helping struggling families, veterans, LGBTQ youth and domestic violence victims, especially in our indigenous communities. We look forward to more funding announcements in the near future."
The funded requests from the House Democratic Caucus include:
$1,854,893 for Habitat for Humanity Tucson to create a community-based job training program and to build and repair affordable housing.
$434,276 for Tanner Community Development Corporation to provide more housing options for veterans facing homelessness.
$362,047 for Circle the City to strengthen mental health services for those experiencing homelessness by creating a street outreach team.
$300,000 for Native Americans for Community Action to expand its services that individuals experiencing homelessness utilize.
$250,000 for Primavera Foundation to renovate and expand affordable housing units.
$250,000 for First Place Arizona to offer independent living outreach, health programming, community engagement and mental health coordination to neurodiverse Arizonans.
$250,000 for Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation to support counseling and housing programs and those living with HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ youth facing housing insecurity.
$250,000 for Tohdenashaii Committee Against Family Abuse to hire personnel to assist with childcare at the shelter on the Navajo Nation and to assist with transportation to housing appointments and other services for victims.
$55,000 for Free Arts to provide children in shelters and facilities with art supplies.
$50,000 for Streets of Joy to provide shelter and counseling services to underserved individuals with mental illness and inmates recently reentering society, helping them transition to an independent lifestyle.
For a link to the Governor's announcement go here.
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