Included in the American Rescue Plan, a pandemic relief bill passed in 2021, was a $5 billion appropriation to address homelessness assistance and supportive service needs. This allocation of ARP funds, known as HOME-ARP, was allocated to cities, counties, and states for eligible activities that would primarily benefit individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations. Mosaic worked with the City of El Monte (and 6 other HOME-ARP grantees) to develop a HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. These plans each evaluated community input on homelessness needs, assessed local gaps in housing and shelter resources, and specified a plan for the use of the grantees’ HOME-ARP funds to address the needs and gaps.

In El Monte, the funds were largely used to provide gap financing in support of an innovative mixed-income, multifamily redevelopment of an urban infill site. Strategies Mosaic developed with other grantees included motel conversion projects for non-congregate shelter, expansive tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) programs, and delivery of supportive services. While the HOME-ARP program was a one-time opportunity, Mosaic’s work on the Allocation Plans informs an approach to community consultation, needs assessment, and strategy development that may be useful in other contexts where planning for homeless assistance and supportive services is an important community priority.