Housing is Healthcare Fund (formerly Home Matters Arizona Fund)

Housing is Healthcare Fund

The Housing is Healthcare Fund (formerly known as the Home Matters Arizona Fund) is part of a planned $100 million fund (debt and grants) leveraging government, philanthropy and national private investment. The fund invests in affordable housing projects that include elements that connect communities and support healthier individuals, families and economies across the State of Arizona.

Geographic Scope: Statewide Arizona

Target Population:

• Individuals and families with low-to-moderate income
• Veterans
• Seniors
• People who are homeless
• People with disabilities
• Individuals involved in the justice system
• Those eligible for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCS) support
• Medicaid-eligible individuals

Focus Areas: The fund prioritizes projects statewide that are located near:

• Healthy food retailers
• Employment centers
• Active transportation facilities and public transit
• Schools
• Childcare
• Senior centers
• Medical facilities
• Public libraries
• Parks
• Community centers
• Places of worship

Fund Criteria - Sample eligible project components include:

• Overall Project Impact
• Demographic and Geographic Focus
• Connectedness to Community/Placemaking
• Collaboration and Partnerships
• Resident Engagement and Community Life
• Housing Justice (affordable housing advocacy, renters' rights, ending homelessness, systems change addressing racial inequities)

Funding Definition: Projects serving Medicaid-eligible individuals and may include workforce housing under 80% of the area median income for a four-person household

Developed: 2020 by a consortium of health plans including Arizona Complete Health, Banner -- University Health Plan, Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Magellan Complete Care of Arizona, Health Choice Arizona, Mercy Care, NARBHA Institute and UnitedHealthcare

Fund Sponsors: Arizona's Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) participating through AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) requirement to reinvest 6% of profits into community needs. Low-interest loan lenders include Aetna (a CVS Health company), Dignity, and UnitedHealthcare.

Asset Management: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Phoenix provides underwriting and other asset management services. All communication about applications comes from LISC Phoenix program officers.

Application Process

Current Status: The 2024 Fund application window is currently closed.

Application Portal: Applications are submitted through LISC Phoenix (Local Initiatives Support Corporation Phoenix)

Contact for Application Information: Frieda Pollack at fpollack@lisc.org

Applicant Instructions:

1. Contact LISC Phoenix program officer for application details
2. A pre-screen form is available that includes eligibility requirements and criteria
3. Use the pre-screen to assess your organization and project alignment

Eligibility Notes:

• Several funders only fund 501(c)(3) organizations, though others may consider for-profit organizations or cities and towns
• Applications that include a mix of different kinds of organizations working together are welcome
• Projects must align with Home Matters national movement values

Expected Application Materials: (specific details not provided in source material)