The Special Needs division was developed to enable the agency to address the housing needs of populations that require a more comprehensive approach to housing stability beyond basic affordable housing opportunities. These populations have been identified as those living with HIV/AIDS, serious mental illness, chronic substance abuse, persons and families who are homeless, and victims of domestic violence.
Homelessness Prevention Program
Eviction Prevention/Emergency Housing (EPEH) grants are available through the State Housing Fund, typically through an annual competitive process. EPEH grants are then made to selected local governments and nonprofit agencies that provide housing counseling and financial assistance to individuals and families at risk of homelessness. Services eligible under this program include: grants for security deposits; rent and mortgage foreclosure assistance; utility payments, moving and storage fees to prevent eviction; landlord-tenant mediation; household management assistance; and budget counseling. For a list of participating entities please refer to the Department website. For information on the next competitive round for grants contact the Special Needs Programs Administrator.
Balance of State/Rural Continuum of Care Process
The Arizona Department of Housing serves as the lead agency for the homeless and community planning Continuum of Care process for the 13 rural counties in the state. The Continuum of Care process is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to enable localities to apply to the federal government for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act competitive grant programs. This process brings together local governments, community businesses, faith-based organizations, non-profits, current and/or formerly homeless persons to develop local solutions to end homelessness. On an annual basis, the agency applies for competitive funding to HUD for projects and programs that are identified as priority needs through the Continuum process. ADOH then acts as the administering agency for the grants that are passed through to the participating sub-recipients. Over the years, ADOH has secured millions of dollars in funding for transitional and permanent housing programs.
Housing Assistance to People with AIDS (HOPWA)
The State currently receives a small yearly grant of Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) funding to provide housing assistance programs for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Funding is passed through to local governments or nonprofit organizations to provide direct assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
Aging 2020
State agencies have developed plans to address the needs of Arizona’s rapidly growing population of senior citizens through the year 2020. Each state agency’s plan looks at both the needs of its internal workforce and of its constituency, focusing on issues such as fewer available workers and an increasing need for health and social services that will affect the business of all state agencies.
Arizona Commission on Homelessness and Housing (ACHH)
The goal of the ACHH is to guide the development and implementation of a state plan to end homelessness for Arizonans with a focus on families. ACHH identifies policy, practice, and funding actions that can be taken at the state level to prevent and end homelessness through support, involvement, and coordination among multiple state agencies and the private sector. The ADOH Director acts as Co-Chair of this Council. The Special Needs Program Administrator represents the department as a member. The Technical Assistance Coordinator in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families,