RESPONDING TO COVID-19: ENSURING HOUSING STABILITY
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We are convening and connecting with our partners across the state to advocate for immediate relief for those experiencing homelessness and to those on the brink of losing their homes, as well as putting forward recommendations for system changes and structural reforms to create a better housing market for all. The policy choices we make now to weather this virus can also lead us to a better path for the future that helps all Arizonans in their pursuit of a safe, affordable place to call home.
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Arizona's "Triage" Coronavirus Response
Crisis Contingency & Safety Net Fund
The Arizona Housing Coalition is advocating for more funding to be allocated from the Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund for our statewide homeless shelter providers who are working to keep people safe and sheltered.
Background
Governor Ducey appropriated $5 million from the newly created Crisis Contingency & Safety Net fund to assist homeless shelters in the prevention of COVID-19. This includes assisting with temporary isolation and quarantine housing and sanitation supplies and services. While this initial step is commendable, more is needed. We’re hearing from our membership that temporary shelter, staffing, transportation and hygiene/protection supplies are critical gaps that need to be addressed. Coordination and transparency in funding and decision-making are key factors in the response. According to an Arizona Department of Housing poll of statewide shelter needs, more than $18 million dollars is required to address 1) supplies and personal protective equipment, 2) staffing and operating funds, 3) motel/hotel vouchers, and 4) materials needed for encampments (tents, handwashing stations, showers, etc.). With only $5 million allocated from the Crisis Contingency & Safety Net Fund, more financial resources are essential. Homeless shelter providers across our state are on the frontlines doing their best; ensuring their success requires far greater investment and support.
Governor Ducey appropriated $5 million from the newly created Crisis Contingency & Safety Net fund to assist homeless shelters in the prevention of COVID-19. This includes assisting with temporary isolation and quarantine housing and sanitation supplies and services. While this initial step is commendable, more is needed. We’re hearing from our membership that temporary shelter, staffing, transportation and hygiene/protection supplies are critical gaps that need to be addressed. Coordination and transparency in funding and decision-making are key factors in the response. According to an Arizona Department of Housing poll of statewide shelter needs, more than $18 million dollars is required to address 1) supplies and personal protective equipment, 2) staffing and operating funds, 3) motel/hotel vouchers, and 4) materials needed for encampments (tents, handwashing stations, showers, etc.). With only $5 million allocated from the Crisis Contingency & Safety Net Fund, more financial resources are essential. Homeless shelter providers across our state are on the frontlines doing their best; ensuring their success requires far greater investment and support.
Eviction Enforcement Moratorium
While eviction moratoriums play an important role in protecting renters, tenants are still responsible for their rent payments and landlords still need rent revenues to operate and maintain their housing units. The Arizona Housing Coalition is advocating for more funding, at the state and federal level, to go to eviction prevention and to fully fund rental assistance programs to ensure tenants are stably housed and to protect and preserve our state’s limited affordable housing.
Background
The Governor allocated $5 million of the State Housing Trust Fund to bolster the already-established eviction prevention program. This is exactly how the State Housing Trust Fund should be spent – responding to community needs. The Department of Housing has already received over 8,000 applications for assistance, and at least double that are in the process of gathering necessary documents to request help. The assistance is capped at $2,000 per month, with the average aid requested about $890 per household. Based on the reported demand, the initial $5 million investment is expected to go quickly.
Governor Ducey issued an executive order delaying the enforcement of eviction orders for renters impacted by COVID-19. The order applies to renters who are quarantining due to COVID-19 or are facing economic hardship as a result of the outbreak. It will remain in effect for 120 days. Yet even with the eviction enforcement mortarium in place, eviction filings are still stacking up on judicial desks. At the end of the 120-day eviction moratorium on July 23, we are concerned that folks will still be struggling to pay their rent, a fear that existed before the pandemic, now exacerbated by rental arrears. Couple that with the fact that many renters are unsure if they are protected under the eviction moratorium or not. If not properly funded now, we could see a wave of evictions in late July that could cripple our homeless provider networks across the state.
Governor Ducey Announces $7 Million For Housing And Rental Assistance - October 28, 2020
The funding comes from the Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund [1], established in March through a bipartisan state budget agreement that added $50 million for Arizona’s COVID-19 response. “Ensuring Arizonans have safe, reliable housing during this pandemic is critical,” said Governor Ducey. “With today’s funding, we are expanding efforts to keep all Arizonans in their homes and helping ensure rents continue to get paid. We will continue to work with our county, city and community partners to get Arizonans impacted by this pandemic the resources and support they need.” Click here to view the entire News Release.
The Governor allocated $5 million of the State Housing Trust Fund to bolster the already-established eviction prevention program. This is exactly how the State Housing Trust Fund should be spent – responding to community needs. The Department of Housing has already received over 8,000 applications for assistance, and at least double that are in the process of gathering necessary documents to request help. The assistance is capped at $2,000 per month, with the average aid requested about $890 per household. Based on the reported demand, the initial $5 million investment is expected to go quickly.
Governor Ducey issued an executive order delaying the enforcement of eviction orders for renters impacted by COVID-19. The order applies to renters who are quarantining due to COVID-19 or are facing economic hardship as a result of the outbreak. It will remain in effect for 120 days. Yet even with the eviction enforcement mortarium in place, eviction filings are still stacking up on judicial desks. At the end of the 120-day eviction moratorium on July 23, we are concerned that folks will still be struggling to pay their rent, a fear that existed before the pandemic, now exacerbated by rental arrears. Couple that with the fact that many renters are unsure if they are protected under the eviction moratorium or not. If not properly funded now, we could see a wave of evictions in late July that could cripple our homeless provider networks across the state.
Governor Ducey Announces $7 Million For Housing And Rental Assistance - October 28, 2020
The funding comes from the Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund [1], established in March through a bipartisan state budget agreement that added $50 million for Arizona’s COVID-19 response. “Ensuring Arizonans have safe, reliable housing during this pandemic is critical,” said Governor Ducey. “With today’s funding, we are expanding efforts to keep all Arizonans in their homes and helping ensure rents continue to get paid. We will continue to work with our county, city and community partners to get Arizonans impacted by this pandemic the resources and support they need.” Click here to view the entire News Release.
Arizona's "Preventive" Coronavirus Response
State Housing Trust Fund
The Arizona Housing Coalition looks forward to working with state legislators, when they reconvene, to restore the State Housing Trust Fund to pre-recession levels and ensure it has an ongoing, dedicated source of revenue.
Background
The Housing Trust Fund is used throughout the state to financially support services such as rental assistance, foreclosure and eviction prevention, construction for affordable housing and emergency transitional housing needs. At its peak in 2007, the Fund received $40 million and provided housing relief for more than 12,000 households. A large source of the Housing Trust Fund’s budget was derived from the sale of unclaimed property until 2010, when recession-era cutbacks resulted in an annual $2.5 million cap on the Fund’s main source of financing. Working with our lawmakers, the Coalition was successful in receiving a one-time infusion during the 2019 legislative session, again, in 2022 and most recently a $150 million investment in 2023. However, one-time, variable funding year after year isn’t the sustainable solution we need to address the ongoing challenges of housing insecurity and homelessness. Had the fund been restored to its original funding formula, it would have been instrumental in meeting the urgent needs of people who are experiencing homelessness or who are right on the brink.
The Housing Trust Fund is used throughout the state to financially support services such as rental assistance, foreclosure and eviction prevention, construction for affordable housing and emergency transitional housing needs. At its peak in 2007, the Fund received $40 million and provided housing relief for more than 12,000 households. A large source of the Housing Trust Fund’s budget was derived from the sale of unclaimed property until 2010, when recession-era cutbacks resulted in an annual $2.5 million cap on the Fund’s main source of financing. Working with our lawmakers, the Coalition was successful in receiving a one-time infusion during the 2019 legislative session, again, in 2022 and most recently a $150 million investment in 2023. However, one-time, variable funding year after year isn’t the sustainable solution we need to address the ongoing challenges of housing insecurity and homelessness. Had the fund been restored to its original funding formula, it would have been instrumental in meeting the urgent needs of people who are experiencing homelessness or who are right on the brink.
State Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
The Arizona Housing Coalition prioritizes the adoption of a state affordable housing tax credit to address our state’s affordable housing crisis which has been exacerbated by the pandemic fallout.
Background
Significant progress was made with our lawmakers this session on creating a state low income housing tax credit (LIHTC), which mirrors the Federal program created under President Reagan and expanded and reauthorized by Presidents Clinton and Trump. If passed, the state LIHTC would create about 1,800 construction jobs annually to build new housing units and create about $2 billion in total economic activity. However, in effort to respond to the public health crisis, our state legislators passed a ”skinny” budget and recessed until May, at the earliest.
Significant progress was made with our lawmakers this session on creating a state low income housing tax credit (LIHTC), which mirrors the Federal program created under President Reagan and expanded and reauthorized by Presidents Clinton and Trump. If passed, the state LIHTC would create about 1,800 construction jobs annually to build new housing units and create about $2 billion in total economic activity. However, in effort to respond to the public health crisis, our state legislators passed a ”skinny” budget and recessed until May, at the earliest.
Advocacy is the heart of what we do. We are proud of the power the Coalition’s voice holds at our nation's capitol, our state capitol, and in our communities.
At the direction of our Board of Directors and Legislative Advocacy Committee, we closely monitor each legislative session and are ready to act to advance sound policies and laws which stem the root causes of homelessness and create more affordable housing opportunities throughout Arizona.
