Ruben Gallego

05/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/08/2024 17:37

Gallego Announces Nearly $12 Million Coming to Communities Across Arizona for Affordable Housing

May 08, 2024

Gallego Announces Nearly $12 Million Coming to Communities Across Arizona for Affordable Housing

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) announced that communities across Arizona will receive $11,821,480 in Public Housing Repair funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

"Solving Arizona's housing crisis means tackling the issue from all sides. That includes ensuring our supply of public housing is safe and available for the families and seniors who need it most," said Rep. Gallego. "Thanks to critical funding I helped pass, I am proud to announce today that nearly $12 million is coming to communities across Arizona to do just that."

"The City of Phoenix Housing Department has received these very necessary funds to improve its public housing communities," said Titus Mathew, City of Phoenix Housing Director. "The funding will go towards important renovation projects that will enhance the quality of life for seniors and provide updated, comfortable surroundings and modern amenities for our most vulnerable residents."

The grants announced today are provided through HUD's Capital Fund Program, which offers annual funding to all public housing authorities to build, renovate, and/or modernize the public housing in their communities. Housing authorities can use the funding to complete large-scale improvements such as replacing roofs or making energy-efficient upgrades to heating systems and installing water conservation measures.

The following Arizona housing authorities are receiving funding:

Winslow Public Housing Authority: $213,085

Williams Housing Authority: $113,461

Flagstaff Housing Authority: $866,770

Housing and Community Development Tucson: $3,273,625

South Tucson Housing Authority: $456,994

Nogales Housing Authority: $756,288

Yuma County Housing Department: $460,558

City of Glendale Housing Authority: $506,481

Chandler Housing & Redevelopment Division: $937,406

Pinal County Housing Authority: $501,636

Eloy Housing Authority: $79,147

City of Phoenix Housing Department: $3,656,029

Today's announcement continues Rep. Gallego's leadership to end homelessness and increase affordable housing in Arizona.

In April, he introduced the Housing Vouchers Fairness Act to increase the number of housing vouchers allocated to growing states such as Arizona. The bill would correct disparities in the current Housing Choice Voucher program by authorizing an additional $2 billion in funding for vouchers allocated to the country's 25 fastest-growing cities with a population of over 100,000.

Also in April, Rep. Gallego toured UMOM New Day Center's Family Shelter Expansion and Remodel Project and presented UMOM with a ceremonial $1.98 million check for the community project funding Rep. Gallego secured for the shelter.

In February, Rep. Gallego hosted two roundtables with local leaders to discuss his efforts to increase affordable housing and how to tackle homelessness in Arizona.

In addition to today's funding, in recent years, Rep. Gallego has secured:

  • $50 billion in emergency COVID-19 rental assistance
  • $668 million in funding for Phoenix through HUD, including $226 million in Community Development Block Grants, and:
    • $54 million for the Emergency Solutions Grant Program to assist people with quickly regaining stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness.
    • $124 million for the Home Investments Partnership Program to build, buy, and rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership and to provide direct rental assistance to low-income people
    • $41 million under the Housing Trust Fund to produce and preserve affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income households.
    • $110 million under the Continuum of Care Program to provide community-based solutions for ending homelessness.
    • $23 million under the Public Housing Capital Fund for the modernization and development of public housing.
  • $10 million directly to Arizona in housing and homelessness assistance programs, including:
    • $1.5 million to house and support homeless Phoenix veterans.
    • $2.8 million for housing affordable for veterans. (tiny homes)
    • $1.3 million to support affordable housing for veterans, domestic abuse survivors, and low-income families.
    • $1.9 million to provide a safe space for people experiencing homelessness in the City of Phoenix to store their things while they look for work.
    • $750 thousand for transitional beds.

$2.9 million for an affordable housing community.