New Sinema-Backed Bill Helps Arizona Families at Risk of Homelessness During Coronavirus Pandemic

Press Release

Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act--legislation increasing funding for NeighborWorks America, a supportive housing counseling program that helps Arizona homeowners, renters, families experiencing homelessness, and families at risk of homelessness navigate their housing options and rights during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Arizona families are facing tough times through no fault of their own. Increasing access to housing counseling resources helps ensure Arizona families can stay in their homes during this economic and public health crisis," said Sinema.

NeighborWorks America is a congressionally chartered and funded nonpartisan nonprofit that supports organizations providing communities with affordable housing, financial counseling and coaching, training, and resident engagement and collaboration in the areas of health, employment and education.

Sinema's Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act authorizes $700 million in funding for NeighborWorks to support housing counseling services to ensure homeowners and renters have the resources they need to navigate housing options and remain in their homes during the pandemic. The bill also ensures at least 40 percent of the $700 million is provided to counseling organizations that target counseling services to minority and low-income homeowners and renters.

Sinema recently introduced the bipartisan Emergency Family Stabilization Act--legislation creating an $800 million fund to increase resources and housing for Arizona children and families experiencing homelessness.

Sinema recently secured a commitment from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to partner together and launch a new website to help Arizona renters and homeowners learn more about all the resources and assistance available to them during the coronavirus pandemic. Sinema and a group of Senators from the Banking Committee also recently introduced legislation providing a new $75 billion Housing Assistance Fund to help everyday Arizona families afford rent, mortgage, and utility payments during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sinema has also added a resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/corona, for Arizonans looking for the latest information on coronavirus.

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