Key Points:
- Governor Katie Hobbs announced $13.5 million in new state grants aimed at preventing evictions, reducing homelessness, and expanding housing referral services.
- The funding comes through the Arizona Promise Budget, and will be distributed to nonprofits and local governments.
- Breakdown of funding:
- $8.5 million for eviction prevention and rental assistance
- $4 million for homelessness response programs
- $1 million to strengthen statewide housing referral systems via 211 Arizona (Solari)
- 16 organizations statewide will receive eviction prevention funding, including A New Leaf, city governments in Phoenix, Glendale, and Tempe, and county social service agencies.
- 11 organizations will receive homelessness response funds, such as CASS, UMOM, and Catholic Charities.
- The Arizona Department of Child Safety will also use part of the funding for youth transitioning from foster care.
- This brings Hobbs’ total state investment in eviction prevention and homelessness efforts to over $150 million since taking office.
- State Representative Quantá Crews highlighted how this funding can be life-changing for working families struggling with housing insecurity.
- The initiative focuses on both prevention and recovery, linking housing stability to job training, mental health, and addiction services.
Investor takeaway:
While these programs target tenants and vulnerable families, landlords should stay informed—expanded aid can help stabilize rent payments and reduce turnover. Property owners may also see fewer evictions and more funding availability for housing partnerships.