Phoenix staff outline tenant-assistance and eviction legal services; advocates press for faster outreach and expanded capacity

City of Phoenix Human Services Department staff presented details of the city’s tenant-assistance programs and early results from a newly launched eviction legal services program during the May 28 Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee meeting, and residents and tenant advocates asked the city to increase outreach, reduce application barriers and expand legal capacity.

Human Services Director Jacqueline Edwards told the subcommittee the department operates three primary tenant programs: rental and utility assistance; a landlord–tenant counseling program that interprets the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; and the eviction legal services (ELS) program, which launched in January 2025 and is funded with a $1,200,000 one‑time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest award.

“Emergency financial assistance services, such as for rent and utility payments, are available to City of Phoenix residents in crisis situations,” Edwards said. She reported that across the department’s various fund sources HSD budgeted about $4.5 million for rental and utility assistance in FY25 and, year to date, had provided $1,600,000 in rental assistance to 949 households (average payment $1,683) and $1,800,000 in utility assistance to 3,390 households (average payment $550). Case management services were serving roughly 600 households, she said.

Edwards reviewed eligibility rules: generally applicants must be Phoenix residents or receive city water services, meet income thresholds tied to fund source rules (examples cited included 200% of the federal poverty line for some emergency assistance and 80% of area median income for other programs), and demonstrate risk of homelessness or housing instability. She said program funding is limited and that staff apply additional emergency criteria (for example, a 24‑hour lockout or utility shutoff notice, household members under age 2, seniors, persons with disabilities, or domestic violence) to prioritize who receives assistance.

On eviction legal services, Edwards said the program connects tenants with…