Pima County is winding down a program that began during the pandemic that offers emergency help to people struggling to make rent and utility payments.

The county opened its Tucson and Pima County Emergency Rental Assistance Program in the spring of 2021 using federal money from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan.

County officials say they’ve used almost $89 million to help some 17,000 households since then.

But the federal funding is expected to come to a close in December. Now, the county says they’re looking at other funding options to keep the assistance available. 

Officials say the pandemic only exacerbated existing housing issues in Tucson and Pima County. Going forward, the county is looking to fill the need with money from the state’s affordable housing fund.

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