Arizona is one of eight states and the District of Columbia selected to participate in a new federal initiative to strengthen partnerships across housing, disability, aging, and health sectors; access available federal programs and resources, and maximize federal flexibilities to help keep people healthy.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator will help Arizona unlock critical resources in its efforts to reduce homelessness, including by receiving technical assistance from HUD and HHS. For example, states can use Medicaid waivers to cover time-limited rental and utility assistance and one-time transition costs, like security deposits and rental application fees, according to a HUD press release.

Through participation in the Accelerator, Arizona will receive technical assistance to improve implementation of its Medicaid section 1115 demonstration or section 1915(i) state plan amendment to better connect and provide eligible people with housing-related services and supports, which can be coordinated with housing funded by Continuum of Care grants, alongside other federal, state, and local housing resources.

“Being selected to participate in the 2024 Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator program is a testament to the strategy and planning we’ve put in place in order to launch the new Housing and Health Opportunities program to address homelessness for specific populations in Arizona,” Carmen Heredia, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) CEO, stated. “The technical assistance this program provides will be invaluable as we embark on this innovative, new housing and health care program.”

HHS and HUD received an overwhelming response with applications from 15 eligible states and DC. A rigorous review and scoring process, including interviews with state teams, led to the final selection of states, which included Arizona.

Over the next 12 months, HUD and HHS will provide these states and DC with intensive federal technical assistance and opportunities for state peer-to-peer exchange to support their implementation of clinically-indicated housing-related services and supports under their Medicaid programs for people with complex health needs experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.

By receiving this federal technical assistance, these states can improve coordination and delivery of services like navigation services, ongoing individualized case management, one-time transition assistance, and home modifications that can help people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness to obtain and maintain stable housing.