$350K grant sought for transitional housing program in Apache Junction
Arianna Grainey
The funds are for the nonprofit to buy a three- to four-bedroom single-family home for transitional housing for both individuals and families. Purchasing the house is to be completed by April 1, 2025, with clients occupying it on July 1, 2025.
A request to authorize the submission of a grant application by Begin Again Homes in Apache Junction for $350,000 for a transitional housing program for persons experiencing homelessness was approved recently by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.
The board voted unanimously July 3 on a consent agenda with other items to approve a resolution seeking the funding from the Ak Chin Indian Community Shared Revenue Program and for Pinal County to serve as the fiscal agent.
The funds are for the nonprofit to buy a three- to four-bedroom single-family home for transitional housing for both individuals and families. Purchasing the house is to be completed by April 1, 2025, with clients occupying it on July 1, 2025, according to the community grant application filled out by Begin Again Homes Executive Director Sheryl Bigelow.
“The project would be able to house approximately 100 people per year which is in essence removing 100 people off the streets into safe and secure housing,” Bigelow said in a written narrative accompanying the application.
Begin Again Homes was incorporated in January 2023 as a domestic nonprofit corporation and has 501(c)(3) status, it states.
“BAH connects low-income individuals and families with sustainable housing opportunities by filling in the gap with transitional housing as a direct stepping stone,” Bigelow said in the narrative. “BAH provides medium-term support up to 12 months to bridge the gap between the time a person loses shelter and the time at which they can establish permanent housing placement.”
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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