FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville City Council approved just over $70,000 of additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for 7hills Homeless Center on Nov. 19.
Local governments have until the end of this year to obligate ARPA funds to local organizations.
"We had once in a lifetime opportunity with American Rescue Plan Act funds that came into our communities," Fayetteville City Council Member Sarah Moore said. "'One of the things I said was we want you to really focus on disproportionately impacted populations."
Moore said she is proud of the city council’s work in allocating over a million of the city’s $17 million ARPA funds to organizations focused on finding housing solutions in the city.
With the additional money, 7hills has now received just over half a million dollars from the city in ARPA funding.
"The funding from ARPA and the city has allowed this dream to become a reality," 7hills Director of Services Joe Coultas said.
Coultas said he has seen a positive impact as a direct result of ARPA funding toward 7hills’ overnight homeless shelter.
He said previous funding was aimed at staffing, renovations, and getting the bed space from 16 people to 32. With the additional funding, 7hills plans to expand the bed capacity to 64 and help visitors with transportation.
According to Coultas, the overnight shelter has been open since March, and numbers show that the funds used on staffing and renovations have made a difference.
"We've had 112 unique guests since March," Coultas said. "Out of those 112 [guests], 20%, one of every five, has actually gone on to be housed or diverted to other places, and 30% of those have found employment."
As temperatures begin to drop, Coultas said there is a greater need for warm spaces in the city.
Coultas said 7hills is the lead agency for Fayetteville’s cold weather response, and partners with Genesis Church, Salvation Army, and Potter’s House.
"When the temperature dips below 15 degrees, those plans will be set into place," Coultas said. "Genesis will house people overnight. Potter's House allows us to come in during the day and keep people warm during the day, and we'll have our shelter here with 64 people as well."
Coultas said seeing the positive impact of the ARPA funds firsthand has been rewarding.
"The greatest feeling is when someone comes in and tells us that they found a place to live, and they are so thankful and grateful, and it's a big moment for all of us because that person has completed that part of their journey and are able to move on to the next step of actually becoming a member of society," Coultas said.
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