The Phoenix City Council will vote Wednesday to give a private contractor $4 million to help low-income residents find homes. The money would come from federal stimulus funds through the city’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Phoenix currently pays landlords $2,000 to rent to someone using a Section 8 Housing Choice voucher. Voucher holders pay 30% of their income to rent and utilities while Phoenix uses federal dollars to cover the rest. But the rent is based on standards set by the federal government, which don’t always reflect current market rates. The incentives are meant to make up the difference. 

The city uses Quadel Consulting and Training to manage the program. Since approving it in August 2020, the city has paid more than $1 million to more than 600 landlords. 

Property owners can get more information at phoenix.gov/housing, by emailing [email protected] or calling 602-534-1974.

In February 2022, the city had 16,000 people on a Section 8 wait list, which is reserved for very low incomes.