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Albany council reallocates ARPA funds to extend rental assistance through 2026
Summary
The Albany City Council voted unanimously Oct. 20 to reallocate $50,000 of remaining ARPA business-assistance funds to the city’s rental assistance program, bringing the rental assistance balance to about $230,000 and extending support through December 2026, staff said.
The Albany City Council voted unanimously Oct. 20 to move $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from a business-assistance account to the city’s rental-assistance program, staff told the council. City staff said that reallocation would bring the rental-assistance balance to roughly $230,000 and sustain the program through December 2026.
City staff framed the reallocation as a targeted step to keep Albany’s emergency rental assistance operating while staff review long-term funding options. "We believe that, based on current demand, this funding level will sustain the program through December 2026," said Mary Lopez, a city staff presenter during the ARPA update.
The funding supports the city’s Albany Cares navigation and rental programs that staff said have grown since the pandemic. Staff reported Albany Cares assisted 668 unduplicated clients in 2024, a more than twofold increase from pre-pandemic service levels. City staff said the rental-assistance program has approved 77 applications so far with an average award of about $8,200 per household and that roughly half of referrals to Echo Housing are approved.
During deliberations, council members asked for line-item details and questioned long-term sustainability if federal or state aid is limited. Staff said they will return to council during the FY 2026–27 budget process with cost estimates and recommendations for continuing selected services. Staff also said they are assessing possible partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses to stretch limited city funds.
Councilmember Jordan moved the resolution to reallocate the funds; Vice Mayor Peggy McQuade seconded the motion. The city clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote in favor of the staff recommendation, and the motion carried.
Next steps: staff said they will bring more detailed budget recommendations to the council as part of the FY 2026–27 budget process and will continue to coordinate implementation of Albany Cares services with Echo Housing and other partners.
