Many Phoenix renters are only one unexpected expense away from missing rent and potentially getting evicted. Cuts to aid programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and rising gas prices are squeezing families’ budgets even more.
Maricopa County is partnering with the city of Phoenix on a new program that aims to keep families out of court and in their homes when these short-term financial setbacks happen.
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The county’s Board of Supervisors approved the Eviction Prevention Pilot Program in May, and it launched last month with $800,000 in funding.
The one-time assistance of up to $3,200, or two months’ rent, will be available to eligible renters in these ZIP codes, which have especially high eviction rates:
- 85008
- 85040
- 85041
- 85042
Renters applying for the program must be US citizens or green card holders. To apply, they must provide ID, their lease, proof of financial hardship, and proof that they can continue paying rent after the assistance.
“Many Maricopa County residents dedicate most of their monthly income directly towards their rent. When an accident happens, they are forced to redirect their limited funds, leaving them with no way to pay for the roof over their heads,” Chair Kate Brophy McGee, District 3, said in a press release. “This pilot program will ensure those residents stay out of the courtroom and will have the resources to maintain their housing stability.”
Applications opened Aug. 17 and closed on Aug. 21. Jason Berry, deputy director of communications for Maricopa County, said the program received more than 900 submissions that totaled over $1 million.
“Because that level of demand had the potential to exceed the pilot program’s available funding, the application portal was closed while the County and its program administrator reviewed the submissions,” Berry said in an email to Rent Check PHX.
However, he noted, not all applications will meet eligibility requirements, so it’s possible the portal could reopen if funding remains after this round has been processed.
Berry said that the county may choose to extend the program depending on how this pilot goes, but there is no specific timeline for when that may happen.
Maricopa County’s pilot program was modeled after the Texas Eviction Diversion Program, which, from 2021 to 2023, saw more than 25,000 applicants receive assistance and prevent an eviction from going on to their record.
According to Eviction Lab, Maricopa County has seen over 48,000 eviction filings this year as of Aug. 1.
“This pilot invites owners to partner with residents and the courts to resolve the issue swiftly and keep households housed,” Phoenix Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington said in a press release. “Together, we can reduce costs, reduce eviction filings, and deliver the stability that benefits families, owners, and our neighborhoods alike.”
