Catholic Charities
City Council Advances Major Grant to Tackle Homelessness
During a Sedona City Council work session on February 11, members discussed a potential shift in the use of a state grant initially earmarked for a car camp at Sedona Cultural Park. Following the rejection of this proposal in the recent Proposition 483 referendum, the council is considering redirecting the funds towards a rental assistance program aimed at housing the homeless.
Former Housing Manager Shannon Boone indicated that the grant, which amounts to $875,638 over two years, would likely be forfeited if the car camp didn’t materialize. Housing Manager Jeanne Blum, who has taken over Boone’s responsibilities, introduced a plan to utilize the funding for a Rental Assistance Program. This program would provide rent assistance to individuals deemed “literally homeless” for a period of six to twelve months, with the ultimate goal of securing permanent housing.
Proposed Use of Grant
The program would partner with Catholic Charities Community Services, which would manage the initiative, assist homeless individuals in registering with federal agencies, train staff, and help participants find housing. The state will reimburse the city for rent paid directly to landlords, which aims to ensure the funds are used effectively for housing, according to Community Development Director Steve Mertes.
Cami Rasband, representing Catholic Charities, noted a preference for working with familiar landlords, stating that the organization has longstanding relationships with several in the area. This continuity is essential for developing stable housing for participants. The program’s financial distribution indicated that over 50% of the funding would directly benefit clients, with approximately 10% allocated to the landlords.
Councilman Derek Pfaff raised questions regarding the selection of Catholic Charities for this program, prompting Blum to explain the nonprofit’s extensive experience across eight counties, including its role in managing the state’s homeless registry.
Rasband clarified that the assistance could potentially be used to relocate participants outside the area, responding to questions about the program’s flexibility. Furthermore, Blum highlighted plans to prioritize Sedona residents, including students and seniors, in line with their connection to the community.
However, the council expressed concerns over implementing strict residency requirements and the implications of federal law on these discussions. Mayor Scott Jablow reiterated the need for clarity on what criteria would be established for eligibility in the program.
Public Comment
Opposition surfaced regarding the city’s ongoing consideration of homelessness initiatives. Bill Noonan, instrumental in opposing the car camp, reiterated community sentiment against the city subsidizing homelessness. Critics labelled the proposed program inadequate, highlighting risks of attracting more homeless individuals without addressing the root issues.
Despite the feedback, council members debated the necessity of the proposed program, with Pfaff dismissing concerns about overhead costs as overstated. Meanwhile, Kinsella and Fultz voiced reservations about advancing without greater community endorsement and dialogue regarding the initiative.
Ultimately, the council voted 5-1 in favor of directing city staff to proceed with developing the program’s scope and contract, signaling a commitment to move forward.
Clarification
In a note regarding previous coverage, it was clarified that Councilman Derek Pfaff’s statement during the session was truncated. His complete assertion expressed a firm rejection of the notion that Proposition 483 served as a mandate to halt assistance for the homeless.
