$90 Million Investment for Housing Options Coming to Maricopa County

October 2022

$65 Million Will Add More Affordable Housing; $25 Million Will Fund More Shelter Beds

Economic conditions, a global pandemic, and a-fast growing population are a few of the factors that are contributing to a rapidly growing need for affordable housing and a rise in people experiencing homelessness.

Maricopa County is facing this regional issue head on by making another historic investment of $90 million to bring more housing options and shelter beds online.

“There is no bigger issue in Maricopa County right now than meeting this basic need for housing,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, District 3. ”Maricopa County can’t solve this problem alone, but we can provide funding to make sure good ideas that could improve lives don’t just end up on a crumpled piece of paper somewhere. I’m looking forward to a lot of ground-breakings and grand openings in the months ahead.”

These latest decisions increase the investments Maricopa County has devoted to adding regional shelter beds to $46 million. A total of more than $130 million has been devoted to constructing affordable housing. These solutions are part of a larger strategy that Maricopa County has deployed to provide housing options along a continuum of needs ranging from urgent, short-term shelter needs for people experiencing homelessness to programs that rescue families from eviction and provide financial assistance to stimulate homeownership opportunities, particularly among low-income buyers.

From Numbers to Lumber

Beginning in November 2021, Maricopa County kicked off a flurry of activity to ensure that funding was expeditiously allocated to projects. Over the last ten months, the Maricopa County Human Services Department has issued 207 contracts and intergovernmental agreements for the provision of services to the community, rapidly transforming line items in a budget spreadsheet into housing so people can sleep safely, build a healthy lifestyle and raise a thriving family.

Highlights of Maricopa County’s work over the last ten months to generate new affordable housing options include:

• Jul. 2022 $3.1 Million Invested to Build 74 Townhomes and 161 Rental Units
• Jul. 2022 $23 Million to Operate 250 Bridge Housing Units at 4 Hotel Sites
• May 2022 $5 Million to Secure More Rental Options for People Exiting Homelessness
• May 2022 $35 Million to Build 120 Homes, Provide Downpayment Assistance to 128 Low-Income Home Buyers, and Construct 66 Rental Units
• May 2022 Maricopa County Partners with City of Phoenix Partner to Offer Heat Relief to People Experiencing Homelessness
• Apr. 2022 $10.7 Million to Add 144 Housing Units for Seniors Exiting Homelessness
• Apr. 2022 $17 Million to Add 610 Affordable Rental Housing Units
• Dec. 2021 $28 Million to Add 352 New Shelter Beds and Rapid Rehousing Options
• Nov. 2021 Groundbreaking for Affordable Housing for Low-Income Buyers

Preventing Eviction

To help ensure that families and individuals remain stably housed, Maricopa County has paid more than $79.6 million in rent payments on behalf of 9,677 households since March 2021 through the Emergency Rental Assistance program. The County has also established a $2.6 million legal fund to help renters facing eviction receive no-cost legal advice and representation during court proceedings.

Adding housing, growing regional shelter bed capacity, stimulating home ownership, and helping households avoid eviction are just a few of the many programs Maricopa County has developed through $200 million in investments to help residents recover from the effects of the pandemic. For more details on relief spending, view the year-end ARPA spending report or you can visit Maricopa.gov/RescueFunds for a real-time look at Maricopa County’s ARPA spending. Residents in need of assistance can find information and apply at Maricopa.gov/Rescue.

About Maricopa County Human Services

The Maricopa County Human Services Department (HSD) builds resiliency in the community and promotes the well-being of County residents experiencing adversity through a variety of programs and services to help people and families thrive. These opportunities include early childhood education, housing, homeownership, independent living services for seniors and adults with disabilities, career development for job seekers, workforce development services for businesses, and support for people experiencing homelessness. HSD is committed to delivering innovative, equitable, inclusive, and comprehensive services in a collaborative approach that preserves dignity, promotes respect, and facilitates social and economic mobility. Learn more about the financial, educational, and support resources available to Maricopa County residents at Maricopa.gov/HSD.