Catholic Charities Community Services is honored to be a recipient of a $100,000 grant from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. This grant is earmarked to assist with the homelessness crisis in the Phoenix area, which is one of the worst in the country with a 23% increase in the homeless population, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Since 1933, Catholic Charities has been providing care in Arizona for the most vulnerable of all faiths to shelter and support with a focus on moving individuals and families from short-term solutions to long-term, stable income and housing.

“With the housing crisis in the Valley affecting an unprecedented number of individuals, it is critical for Catholic Charities to continue to provide much-needed services and resources for those at risk of homelessness, which unfortunately continues to increase disproportionately to affordable housing,” said Paul Mulligan, president and CEO of Catholic Charities. “Catholic Charities wouldn’t be able to do our important work without the support of generous organizations, such as Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.”

The grant will be allocated toward a variety of homeless prevention solutions for those enrolled in one of more than 20 programs offered by Catholic Charities. Some of the services include:

• Temporary rental assistance to help fill gaps in income that would otherwise mean eviction for individuals and families in refugee resettlement, early education, family preservation programs, and other family support programs.
• Bus passes and transportation assistance for those with no means of getting to job interviews, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and more.
• Utility assistance for clients who are temporarily unable to pay all household bills, particularly during the summer heat with rising electricity costs.
• Hotel vouchers for those in dire circumstances who need immediate shelter.

Last year, the agency assisted more than 18,000 individuals, including more than 1,000 homeless veterans, more than 2,200 individuals and families needing temporary shelter, nearly 300 refugees resettling in the Phoenix area, and more than 6,500 immigrants on a path to U.S. citizenship with legal aid, advice, and support.

Catholic Charities is celebrating its 90th year of service and serves clients in seven counties throughout Central and Northern Arizona. For more information about Catholic Charities Community Services, visit http://www.CatholicCharitiesAZ.org.