The Phoenix City Council will spend nearly $27 million of federal aid to support shelter and housing for low-income residents and people experiencing homelessness during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The plan approved by the council on Tuesday will provide support for 200 families and 555 individuals experiencing homelessness in addition to hundreds of small businesses, nonprofits and low-income individuals hit hardest by COVID-19.

There are at least 2,380 people without shelter in Phoenix — an 18% jump from 2019, according to the city.

That doesn't include thousands more who have temporary shelter or are on the brink of homelessness.

The number of people experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness is expected to grow because of the fallout of COVID-19, which has had unprecedented economic impact on metro Phoenix.

This fiscal year, Phoenix spent $20 million on programs related to homelessness and affordable housing.

The additional $20 million approved Tuesday comes from federal grants awarded to the city under COVID-19 relief packages approved by Congress.

"This is an opportunity to make real gains in fighting homelessness and emerge a stronger, more resilient and compassionate community," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement following the vote.

Homelessness was an issue before COVID-19

In early March, the council voted unanimously to develop a homelessness plan to address the burgeoning issue.

Then, the new coronavirus hit Phoenix — increasing the needs of the homeless community while making it more difficult to provide services.

The organizations and agencies that provide for metro Phoenix's homeless community, which were strapped for shelter beds before the pandemic, are relying on government funding to fill these widening gaps.

Phoenix's allocation is one of the first major investments of government aid in homelessness response.

The money the city is using is one-time funding from the federal government related to COVID-19. But Assistant City Manager Deanna Jonovich said the city hopes to use the money in a way that will create long-term solutions for people experiencing homelessness.

"We want to create a plan that has lasting effects beyond the COVID-19 crisis," Jonovich said.

Here's how the city plans to spend nearly $20 million on the city's most vulnerable:

Seniors and at-risk homelessness: $3.6 million

Emergency shelter (hotel): The city plans to rent about 100 hotel rooms at a Phoenix hotel to house 100 seniors or people with chronic health issues who are at higher risk for COVID-19. The city will contract with service providers to care for, feed and provide case management for the people at the hotel.

The city plans to rent about 100 hotel rooms at a Phoenix hotel to house 100 seniors or people with chronic health issues who are at higher risk for COVID-19. The city will contract with service providers to care for, feed and provide case management for the people at the hotel. Rapid re-housing: The city will provide funding for 60 of the people at the hotel to eventually transition into a rapid re-housing program that would provide move-in costs and about nine months of rental and utility assistance.

The city will provide funding for 60 of the people at the hotel to eventually transition into a rapid re-housing program that would provide move-in costs and about nine months of rental and utility assistance. Permanent support housing: The city will provide funding for 40 of the people at the hotel to secure long-term affordable housing vouchers.

Family homelessness: $2.1 million

Emergency shelter expansion: The city will fund 25 additional family shelter beds at the UMOM New Day Centers family shelters. This is expected to serve 100 families over the course of a year.

The city will fund 25 additional family shelter beds at the UMOM New Day Centers family shelters. This is expected to serve 100 families over the course of a year. Rapid Re-housing: The city will provide money for 100 additional families to secure rapid re-housing, which would provide move-in costs and about nine months of rental and utility assistance.

Single women homelessness: $1.83 million

Rapid re-housing: The city will provide money for 200 women to secure rapid re-housing, which would provide move-in costs and about nine months of rental and utility assistance.

The city will provide money for 200 women to secure rapid re-housing, which would provide move-in costs and about nine months of rental and utility assistance. VASH vouchers: The city will provide 10 additional housing vouchers for female homeless veterans.

The city will provide 10 additional housing vouchers for female homeless veterans. Permanent support housing: The city will provide funding for five women to secure long-term affordable housing vouchers.

Single men homelessness: $1.89 million

Rapid re-housing: The city will provide money for 200 men to secure rapid re-housing, which would provide move-in costs and about nine months of rental and utility assistance.

The city will provide money for 200 men to secure rapid re-housing, which would provide move-in costs and about nine months of rental and utility assistance. VASH vouchers: The city will provide 40 additional housing vouchers for male homeless veterans.

The city will provide 40 additional housing vouchers for male homeless veterans. Permanent support housing: The city will provide funding for five men to secure long-term affordable housing vouchers.

Youth homelessness: $80,000

Case management and janitorial services: The city will provide funding to youth homelessness providers for additional staffing and cleaning supplies.

Housing programs: $13 million

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS: The city will provide rental assistance for one year for 40 new clients and short-term rental and mortgage assistance to 100 new clients.

The city will provide rental assistance for one year for 40 new clients and short-term rental and mortgage assistance to 100 new clients. Public Housing: The city will use funds to help operate its 2,100 public housing units. The units are partially funded by rent payments from the individuals who live there. The rent is calculated as 30% of the individual's income. With many people losing employment, the amount people will pay in public housing rent is expected to decrease and the city will need additional funds to maintain and operate the communities.

The city will use funds to help operate its 2,100 public housing units. The units are partially funded by rent payments from the individuals who live there. The rent is calculated as 30% of the individual's income. With many people losing employment, the amount people will pay in public housing rent is expected to decrease and the city will need additional funds to maintain and operate the communities. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: The city will set aside more than $10 million to operate and assist its housing voucher program, which serves 6,800 households. A portion of that money will cover increased administrative costs, but most of it will go to fill in the anticipated loss of rent payments. Like public housing, rent in the voucher program is calculated as 30% of an individual's income. With many people losing employment, the amount people will pay in rent is expected to decrease and the government will need to pay more toward the rent.

The city will set aside more than $10 million to operate and assist its housing voucher program, which serves 6,800 households. A portion of that money will cover increased administrative costs, but most of it will go to fill in the anticipated loss of rent payments. Like public housing, rent in the voucher program is calculated as 30% of an individual's income. With many people losing employment, the amount people will pay in rent is expected to decrease and the government will need to pay more toward the rent. Support low- to moderate income residents shelter-in-place: The city set aside $1 million to support low- to moderate- income families who need critical home repairs (like an air conditioner replacement) to allow them to comfortably shelter in place. These funds also could be used to secure additional affordable housing units.

Business and nonprofit support: $4.8 million

Microenterprise grants and loans: The city set aside $2 million for grants and loans to businesses with less than five employees that have been impacted by COVID-19.

The city set aside $2 million for grants and loans to businesses with less than five employees that have been impacted by COVID-19. Nonprofit grants and loans: The city set aside $2 million for grants and loans for Phoenix nonprofits that serve people impacted by COVID-19.

The city set aside $2 million for grants and loans for Phoenix nonprofits that serve people impacted by COVID-19. Planning, capacity building, and technical assistance: The city reserved about $800,000 for administrative costs to allow the city to facilitate these programs.

Reach the reporter at jessica.boehm@gannett.com or 480-694-1823. Follow her on Twitter @jboehm_NEWS.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.