WeSERV covers a large geographical area and with business being busy, sometimes it is difficult for members and their clients to keep track of all the information important to them.
With April being Fair Housing month, most cities, towns and counties are making proclamations regarding their commitment to Fair Housing. But in addition to those proclamations are ordinances and HUD programs. Here are some of the Housing initiatives in the WeSERV jurisdictions of West Maricopa County, Southeast Maricopa County, Pinal, Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties:
Avondale
The City Council heard the proposed HUD (Housing and Urban Development) 5-year Consolidated Plan for Affordable and Workforce Housing needed in order to qualify the City for HUD CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME Investment funding.
The Consolidated Plan was approved in May 2020 and now the Avondale Neighborhood and Family Services (NFS) Department is holding Public meetings to gain input on the plan. Of the $745,967 proposed CDBG allocation, here is the proposed program funding for FY 2021-2022:
- Owner Occupied Home Repair $355,274
Public Improvements $150,000
Youth Services $50,000
Revitalization Area and Sm Business Assistance $40,500
Promote Fair Housing $1,000
Administration $149,193
Of the $211,296 HOME allocation, here is the proposed program funding:
- Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance $31,590
Owner Occupied Home Repairs $166,500
Administration $13,206
Cochise County
Cochise County approved the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant from HUD. The County Board of Supervisors approved its updated plan for Housing Choice vouchers to HUD. This program provides 614 residents with vouchers.
Coolidge
The City Council will discuss the HUD block grant (CDBG) and HOME funding for the Home Investment Partnership program, the CDBG programs, and the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program. (page 493 of the agenda packet).
Douglas
The City Council updated the HUD Action Plan for HUD CDBG funding. The City is taking public comment on the plan from April 12, 2021 to May 12, 2021.
Glendale
Glendale City Council will discuss and vote on reprogramming $456,381.93 of unexpected CDBG funds to complete shovel-ready projects in low and moderate income areas of Glendale.
At the March 13th City Council meeting the City Council will vote to accept the second CARES Act allocations of $2,044,841 in CDBG funds and $2,997,188 in ESG funding to be used:
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- Eviction Prevention and Rapid Rehousing $1,000,000
Landlord Liaison Services $250,000
Unfunded CDBG Public Services Applications $210,533
Pandemic Sm Business Assistance $653,110
Fair Housing and Legal Services $50,756
Partial funding CDBG applications FY 2021/22 $380,442
Homelessness Master Services Agreement $2,497,188
- Eviction Prevention and Rapid Rehousing $1,000,000
Also on the March 13th agenda is the approval of the Glendale Public Housing Plan 2021 and the Capital Fund Program (CFP) allocated to help low income families (155) in the Cholla Vista Apartments, Glendale Homes and LaMar Homes.
Maricopa County
On April 8th, the Board of Supervisors reviewed a rezoning for a Richmond American housing project at Peoria Ave. and Reems Rd of 359 units.
Mesa
On April 1st the Mesa Housing Services Board met to approve the FY 2021/2022 Public Housing Authority (PHA) Annual Plan.
Tempe
Tempe released its Housing Inventory and Affordability Analysis. According to the report and the Director of Human Services, Tempe remains affordable. To help bolster the affordability component, the study relied on income data analysis. The City Council discussed the report at the April 8th meeting.
Wickenburg
At the April 8th Economic Development Advisory Commission, a discussion was had regarding workforce housing and a potential Wickenburg Community Land Trust.