At the Arizona Department of Housing we are working diligently to keep the State’s housing and community development programs and projects available throughout this unusual time, while quickly launching new efforts to address needs brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Governor Ducey on March 24 issued Executive Order 2020-14: Postponement of Eviction Actions and announced $5 million in funding for rental assistance on March 27 under the Arizona COVID Relief Program. The Department quickly stood up the Rental Eviction Prevention Assistance Program which launched on March 30 to provide assistance to eligible Arizona renter households who have suffered a substantial loss of income related to COVID-19. Our Community Action Agency partners around the state are contracted with the Department to deliver the program, as they continue to provide emergency utility assistance and other vital services as well. 

Governor Ducey on March 30 announced $6.7 million in funding to support vulnerable Arizonans, of which $5 million in resources is being allocated to assist homeless shelters in the prevention of slowing the spread of COVID-19 to include: temporary isolation and quarantine housing; sanitation supplies and services; and, other resources as directed. The Arizona Department of Housing, the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Department of Administration are joining together to work with public and private-sector partners to help ensure our homeless community has clean and safe housing arrangements. Read more about how ADOH is moving assistance to homeless service providers statewide. 

As we publish this edition of the newsletter, the Department anticipates receiving additional federal resources to address the COVID-19 outbreak, and will quickly deploy these resources as well.

The Department’s Foreclosure Prevention Program continues to be available to those who are not able to meet their mortgage obligations due to under or unemployment and the Limited Eviction Prevention Pilot program that launched in the spring of 2019 continues to offer financial assistance in certain zip codes statewide.

In order to mitigate the chance of contributing to the virus’ spread, our rental property inspectors are rescheduling all on-site rental unit inspections at this time and will concentrate on desk monitoring until conditions improve.

Manufactured home installation permits and inspections are continuing so that Arizonans waiting to move into those homes do not experience delays.

Applications for the financing of rental housing continue to be processed so that the Department can stay on target with anticipated award announcements and we continue to prepare for finance closings so that approved projects can move forward into production. Construction on thousands of affordable units continues to move forward at this time.

If you or anyone you know in Arizona has housing-related concerns during these difficult times, the Department remains available, as always, to provide information on available resources by calling 602-771-1000.

Housing Matters | Spring 2020