New award tops last year’s funding by $10 million
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Kelly Taft, MAG, 602-452-5020
PHOENIX (February 26, 2024) — As the region continues working to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness, more than $46.5 million in federal funding is on the way to help fund dozens of local homelessness programs. The award tops last year’s funding by $10 million.
“The award represents a nearly 30 percent increase from previous years, which will mean additional housing and services for people experiencing homelessness in the Maricopa region,” said Rachel Milne, co-chair of the Maricopa Continuum of Care. “All of our first and second tier projects will be funded. This is great news for those in need, homeless service providers, and the regional community.”
The announcement of the funding award comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and on the heels of the most recent Point in Time homelessness street count, which found thousands of individuals living in unsheltered conditions across the region. Final numbers from the count will be released in late April.
On January 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Continuum of Care program grant funding for critically needed support to local programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care award of $46,542,337 will provide funding for 33 local homelessness programs. These include 26 programs that provide housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness; nearly $1.5 million for the Coordinated Entry project to prioritize and place individuals and families in appropriate housing; and more than $800,000 for the Homeless Management Information System, a local information technology system used to collect data on the provision of housing and services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
A complete list of funded projects is available on the HUD website.
The Maricopa Association of Governments staffs the Continuum of Care and develops the application for HUD on behalf of the region. The Continuum of Care is made up of representatives from the public sector, private sector and nonprofit organizations. The Continuum of Care Board assumes responsibility for the development and submission of the annual coordinated grant application for the HUD Continuum of Care homeless assistance funds.
For additional information on the funding announcement or the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care, please contact Brian Gruters, Regional Homelessness Program Manager, at 602-452-5043 or by email at [email protected].