The Board of Supervisors approved spending priorities for $435 million in federal funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed by Congress earlier this year.
“This new COVID-19 funding dashboard will provide the transparency to Maricopa County residents that they deserve about how their federal dollars are being spent to help their community recover. It is a way to keep our government efficient and accountable," District 1 Chair Jack Sellers said in a news release. “Our goal is to distribute these funds in an equitable way across our community with a focus on areas disproportionately impacted by COVID-19."
So far, $410 million from the ARPA funds have been allocated, but Maricopa County is still in the early stages of distributing those dollars. According to the dashboard, only $6.4 million has been spent to date.
Here are some of the ways the money has been allocated:
- $136 million will go to direct continued COVID-19 health response.
- $75.5 million will go to programs for individuals and families including seniors and persons with disabilities and behavioral health and addiction recovery.
- $60 million will be dispersed to support local businesses struggling due to the pandemic.
- $40 million will be used to secure affordable housing at a time of escalating prices.
- $25 million will support workforce efforts across Maricopa County.
- $20 million will go to help residents with rent and mortgage assistance.
View the county's dashboard at www.maricopa.gov/5733/COVID-19-American-Rescue-Plan-Act-Funds.