Fort Smith expects American Rescue Plan funds for homeless

The American Rescue Plan is expected to provide the City of Fort Smith with $1,501,450 in funds meant to help the homeless.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept the funds Tuesday in a regular meeting.

The Fort Smith portion is part of the Home Investment Partnership Program that is providing $5 billion in funds to help the homelessness problem nationwide, according to a memo from Candyce Gabucci, Fort Smith's director of community development.

The one-time installment for Fort Smith of $1.5 million is expected in addition to $1.3 million in annual funds the city will receive. The funds can be used for tenant-based rental assistance development and support of affordable housing, supportive services and non-congregate shelter units.

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Board director Neal Martin said homelessness has been reportedly up in Fort Smith.

"We're seeing a 15% plus increase in homelessness. My only request would be, you know we're seeing that homeless population grow, I want to make sure where this money gets allocated, it is working to solve the problem. Not to say that is not happening," Martin said.

He said he would like to see people out of homelessness and into more stability, more transitional housing, and making sure people are making that transition out of homelessness. The board voted 7-0 to approve the funds.