Early childcare, homeless services, violence prevention, and cash assistance programs in Santa Fe have proved successful in helping uplift vulnerable communities in Santa Fe. The programs and resources are possible thanks to Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding. In a presentation to the Governing Body on March 26, 2025 staff highlighted human services projects deployed through the City’s Youth and Family Services Division.
The City of Santa Fe received $15 million projects in Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding. In 2022, the Governing Body approved 16 projects which were determined through a community engagement process.
Mayor Alan Webber said, “We are committed to investing in our youth, families, and underserved constituents. Our goal is to make a long-lasting change in the lives of those we serve. I am pleased with how many successful programs that have been implemented through ARPA funding.”
To support early childcare, ARPA helps to fund the Santa Fe Community College APRENDE Program serving more than 800 local children. Students enroll as a pre-apprentice, earn a certificate, and eventually earn an associates degree.
The impact of the ARPA funds extends to homeless services. The City opened its first pilot micro-community site with 10 units. The low barrier non-congregate community allows for couples and pets. In addition, the City expanded its street outreach services from one to six outreach workers.
To address youth violence and community safety concerns, the City added a new Domestic Violence Response Specialist position that will join the police department in responding to domestic violence calls. Also, more than 300 youth have been involved in violence intervention and prevention classes since December 2024.
Also, $2.5 million in cash assistance through ARPA funding helped support more than a thousand constituents in paying back rent, utility payments, catching up on car payments, medications, groceries, and childcare.
ARPA funds cover about two dozen contractors working to address some of the city’s most pressing issues. Nearly $7 million of the ARPA funds went to support community health and safety, $4.3 million towards economic health, $1.7 million for public infrastructure, more than $1 million dollars went to human services projects through Youth and Family Services, and about $1 million for administrative expenses.
