Community urges Phoenix to raise crisis relief fund to $5 million as SNAP cuts deepen

Dozens of residents, advocacy groups and nonprofit representatives used the May 5 Phoenix City Council public‑comment period to urge the city to increase a proposed Flexible Emergency Financial Assistance (client services/crisis relief) program to $5 million and to ensure the funds are low‑barrier and available to all Phoenix residents.

"You must increase customer service and allocate these 5 million so that our community which has been affected can move forward," Maria Mora told the council. Kirsten Pette of Children's Action Alliance described rising child‑care costs and said the proposed $5 million child‑care investment is “a meaningful signal” that the city recognizes child care as critical to families and the workforce.

Speakers from Organized Power Numbers, Lutheran Social Services, Phoenix Community Alliance and the Hance Park Conservancy also pushed for a larger crisis fund, greater accessibility for immigrants and refugees, and subgrants to community organizations with cultural competency. Brent Stockwell, representing Phoenix Community Alliance, urged the council to set aside dedicated partnership funding for park safety — a separate request but one he said should be funded in the same budget conversation.

The budget currently recommends increasing the flexible emergency financial assistance program to $3.15 million one‑time (up from $1.5 million in the trial budget). Commenters repeatedly requested the council raise that to $5 million and to expand eligibility so funds can assist families facing SNAP cuts, deportation or sudden income loss. Several speakers also asked the council to create an implementation committee of community members and providers to oversee subgrants and distribution.

City staff acknowledged the request and said the human services department will manage the emergency assistance program; staff also told council members there are two mechanisms to add funding before the May 19 budget decision — identify new revenue or reallocate existing proposed funds. Council members asked staff to continue reviewing options before the vote.

What happens next: Council is scheduled to take a budget vote on May 19. Advocacy groups said they will keep pressure on the council through that vote.