Posted September 17, 2021
The City of Tucson and Pima County’s Eviction Prevention Program, administered by the Community Investment Corporation, got some recognition this week from local media.
The program is currently leading the nation in distributing funds to renters in need during the pandemic, according to a report from Arizona Public Media. You can find the story here.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that Pima County has approved or paid nearly 80% of its share of the funds, compared to 30% nationally. Jennie Grabel, the director of marketing and communications for the Community Investment Corporation, said the program distributes about $1 million dollars in assistance every week. The story notes that the highest concern at the moment is that landlords are aware the funds are available and are willing to work with her team to keep as many Pima County residents in their homes as possible.
The assistance includes up to 12 months of back rent and three months of future rent for qualifying tenants. For information, eligibility requirements, and to apply online, visit the Tucson and Pima County Eviction Prevention Program website. Those without internet access can call (520) 447-4423 to apply, and bilingual case managers are available.
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We already have one of the best fire departments in the country, and a recent federal grant from FEMA will help our firefighters perform their jobs even better and train more paramedics.
The Tucson Fire Department was awarded more than $5 million in federal grants to provide faster turnaround times for crews following fires, grow the number of paramedics working in the area, and train more firefighters to serve the citizens of Tucson. As part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, Tucson Fire will have two breathing air compressors installed at separate stations. The addition of these compressors will allow fire crews to fill their tanks more efficiently and return to service faster. The AFG will also cover funding for further education within TFD's regional fire service. A paramedic class of 20 will bolster the number of highly trained medical professionals in TFD's ranks who are able to perform Advanced Life Support services in the field. A Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) will allow TFD to hire 13 additional firefighters, bringing the maximum number of active firefighters to 645. The three-year grant is part of a larger plan by TFD to increase the overall number of firefighters serving the city.
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Tucson Parks and Recreation will be offering SchoolzOut Fall Break Camps at multiple sites throughout Tucson for children ages 5-11, or In-Betweener's Club for ages 12-14. The program at the William M. Clements Center will run from Sept. 27-Oct. 15, during the Vail School District's fall break. All other camps will be from Oct. 11-15. Camp hours are 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Activities include games, sports, social interaction, dance, art projects, and nutrition-based learning activities. Registration begins Monday, Sept. 27, for all sites except Clements, which is open now. Masks are required. As with all parks programs, you can register at EZEEREG.com.