In a press release Wednesday, Governor Doug Ducey announced the distribution of an additional $8.2 million to provide Arizonans facing homelessness with critical services. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program and was set up to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 in communities in need. All of the 31 organizations that applied have been awarded the funding and will provide rehousing, homelessness prevention, and other emergency shelter services. The same ESG program has also distributed $5 million in December 2020 and $6 million in July 2020.
Ducey stated, “We want to ensure struggling families and those facing homelessness have access to the support and resources they need to keep a roof over their heads. This additional funding will help more people in need connect with crucial health and safety services provided across the state. My thanks to the Department of Economic Security and the many organizations in Arizona working to support others during the pandemic.”
This funding will help more people in need connect with crucial health and safety services provided across the state. My thanks to @ArizonaDES and the many organizations in Arizona working to support others during the pandemic. 2/2
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 3, 2021
Michael Wisehart, director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, stated, “Individuals who are experiencing homelessness and the communities dedicated to serving them continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic. This additional round of funding is crucial to ensuring these services remain available to struggling Arizonans. We are grateful to be able to work with such exceptional organizations to secure shelter for families in need.”
Cornerstone Mission Project is one such program that will benefit from the funding. Their website states that Cornerstone Mission offers “90 day programs providing shelter and case management in order to reach the goal of self-sufficiency.” According to administrator Melanie Windecker, “Cornerstone Mission Project is honored and blessed to partner with DES to provide the following services to homeless or at-risk of homelessness for families and individuals: Emergency Shelter, Rapid Rehousing, Homeless Prevention and Street Outreach throughout Mohave and LaPaz Counties. Cornerstone Mission is a help-up organization, and through our partnership with DES, we are able to assist families and individuals journey from homeless or at risk of homelessness to a positive housing outcome, achieving housing stability and self-sufficiency. DES partnership through the ESG programs provides the much-needed supports that assist the most vulnerable members in our communities.”
