Summary:
The State of Arizona received nearly $600 million in coronavirus relief and recovery dollars to be awarded to local Arizona governments pursuant to the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The City received over $20 million of those monies from the State of Arizona, of which $1,500,000 was approved by City Council on June 16, 2020, for rent, mortgage and utility payment assistance for Peoria individuals and families negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Foundation for Senior Living (FSL) is a non-profit agency already providing similar services, such as rent and utility assistance, through the Maricopa County Community Action Program (CAP) at the City’s Community Assistance Resource Center. These CAP services are provided through a cooperative contract competitively procured by Maricopa County, which allows entities such as the City to utilize the contract to provide services. Through negotiations with FSL and the use of the cooperative purchasing agreement, the Neighborhood and Human Services Department (Community Assistance Division) intends to contract with FSL to implement a new rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs beginning on, or about, September 14, 2020.
Although the CAP service area includes the jurisdictions of Peoria, Youngtown, Sun Cities and Waddell, these funds are designated solely for the benefit Peoria residents. All assistance programs will require income eligibility and proof of financial hardship caused by the pandemic, such as loss of a job, decreased work hours or increased medical expenses. Factoring in program administration expenses, the utility program will assist an estimated 300 households and the rent and mortgage program will assist an estimated 200 households. The chart below provides monthly and maximum assistance amounts for each program:
|
Assistance Program Type
|
Maximum Length of Assistance
|
Maximum Assistance Per Month
|
Maximum Assistance per Household
|
|
Utilities
|
3 months
|
$500
|
$1,500
|
|
Rent & Mortgage
|
3 months
|
$1,500
|
$4,500
|
In order to implement these programs, two (2) full-time Case Workers will be dedicated to the Peoria funding. These FSL contract staff members will work at the Community Assistance Resource Center to better serve our residents at a convenient location.
City Council approval of this item will allow city staff to move forward with its implementation and providing important assistance to Peoria residents.