Heat in the Southwest

The National Weather Service (NWS) Warning and Forecast Office (WFO) in Phoenix has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for the Phoenix area. Click here for details.

In addition, the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) has issued the following maps:

• Hydration Refuge Map
• Collection Map

SAVE THE DATE

ACEH presents the 15th Annual Statewide Conference on Homelessness

"Imagine HOPE: Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere"

Monday, October 27 & Tuesday, October 28

Preserve the Housing Trust Fund
45,000 keys delivered to the Legislature

On March 10, Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness joined forces with Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, LISC, Tucson Planning Council for the Homeless and countless other advocates throughout the state to spread the message to our State legislature that preservation of the Housing Trust Fund is KEY to Arizona’s future. 45,000 keys were presented to legislators, representing the 45,000 households that have been assisted by the State Housing Trust Fund.

The message: "Don't raid the Housing Trust Fund."

The media have made the public painfully aware of the impact of the current housing downturn on the state’s budget deficits. What the public doesn’t know is that legislators are proposing to take $55 million from the Housing Trust Fund to help balance the State budget, thus eliminating for the next two years one of the State’s prime resources to address affordable housing issues.

The Housing Trust Fund was created to provide flexible affordable housing programs that could not be addressed by Federal housing funds received by the State. Administered by the Department of Housing, the Trust Fund does not receive State General Funds but rather receives a portion of the annual proceeds from the State Unclaimed Property Fund.

The Trust Fund assists critical housing programs, including first time homebuyer assistance, affordable rental housing development, domestic violence and homeless facilities, mortgage foreclosure assistance and housing counseling. Housing provided by the Trust Fund provides stability for low and moderate income households which saves the State millions in medical and service dollars. In addition, every $1 from the Trust Fund attracts $5 more which goes into the local economy.

Everybody understands that in tough economic times all parts of government must share the burden to balance the budget, but to "de-fund" the Trust Fund eliminates a resource that would generate as much as $275 million for the economy. Governor Napolitano has recommended a smaller reduction in the Trust Fund in her budget proposal. We recommend the Legislature adopt her proposal.

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DES/FAA Revises Stance on EBT "Over the Counter" Issuance

The Arizona Department of Economic Security has issued a policy bulletin (FAA PB 07-42) allowing issuance of EBT cards over the counter at DES offices. To view the policy bulletin, press the button to the right: