Latest News
April 6, 2022: Strategies to Address Homelessness Task Force Recommendations to the City Manager
In January 2021, a task force made up of neighborhood leaders, service providers, and homeless advocates began meeting to prioritize and provide recommendations on the City’s efforts to deploy the Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan. Throughout 2021, the Task Force met to review and evaluate the City's Plan. The recommendations were made in consensus among the Task Force members and were presented to the Phoenix City Manager as well to the Phoenix City Council Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee on April 6, 2022. Read the recommendations or Watch the Subcommittee presentation.
March 11, 2022: How the City of Phoenix is Working to Address Homelessness
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) released the data today from its 2022 Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count. The PIT Count is an annual street and shelter count to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County during a given point in time, as part of a national effort to identify the extent of homelessness nationwide. The numbers reflect a two-year increase since the 2021 count was not conducted due to the COVID pandemic.
The pandemic strained economies worldwide. In our community, it resulted in the loss of jobs that hit low-wage earners particularly hard, putting them at greater risk of experiencing homelessness. Rising housing costs in the region also make more people vulnerable to homelessness. According to the PIT Homeless Count, the number of people experiencing homelessness within the City of Phoenix was 3,096. Due to the Covid-19 Crisis and the rise in housing and rental prices, the City of Phoenix anticipated an increase in homelessness and has taken steps to help mitigate the situation. Read more about the City's efforts in the PHX Newsroom.
October 4, 2021: City of Phoenix Adopts Additional Homelessness Services in 2021
The city of Phoenix prioritizes leading with services when it comes to those experiencing homelessness, and the city recognizes that there are unique populations experiencing homelessness that require specialized service to best meet their needs.
In 2021, the mayor and city council approved implementing new practices designed to supplement the city of Phoenix's ongoing "Strategies to Address Hommelessness" plan developed in 2020.
You can read more about these practices including the Heat Relief Program, cleanups, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in the PHX Newsroom.
February 3, 2021: Mayor, Council Approve Additional Beds for Those Experiencing Homelessness
City Council took the a step toward adjusting zoning restrictions to add new shelter beds at the Human Services Campus (HSC) located near 13th Ave. and Madison St.
Today's decision will increase total shelter beds at Central Arizona Shelter Services by 275 to bring the available total number to 700. In addition, the vote will allow St. Vincent de Paul to continue operating 200 beds during extreme weather.
Maricopa County is home to nearly 7,500 individuals experiencing homelessness. More than half of those people lack adequate shelter, and that number is growing steadily. While this is a problem throughout the county and state, homelessness is principally addressed in the city of Phoenix and with local non-profit partners. Currently, there are approximately 1,800 shelter beds available in Maricopa County with 83 percent of those beds are located in the city of Phoenix. With the newly added beds the city of Phoenix will have 1,788 available shelter beds.
Today's action is part of the city's ongoing, longstanding work to meet the needs of those in our community experiencing homelessness. This includes efforts to not only assist those currently lacking shelter, but also those struggling to stay in their homes as the city works to provide more affordable housing options. Here is a snapshot of city initiatives and aid to Phoenicians in need this past fiscal year:
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$80 million for pandemic shelter beds and other COVID-related assistance
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$10 million to purchase a hotel to house homeless military veterans
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Summer heat relief at the Phoenix Convention Center
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Refurbished public housing increasing access to affordable energy-efficient apartments
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Rent and mortgage assistance
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$20 million annually for city services related to homelessness, including services providing shelter for 5,430 individuals and families
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Leveraging a $30 million grant from United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to build 1,011 mixed income affordable housing units
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Partnerships with community organizations including UMOM, CPLC, Native American Connections, Justa Center, St. Vincent de Paul and others.
You can read more about these efforts and how the specific funds are being spent in the PHX Newsroom.
February 3, 2021: City Invests in Solutions for Homelessness
The City of Phoenix is investing millions of dollars to meet the needs of those in our community experiencing homelessness. This includes efforts to not only assist those currently lacking shelter, but also those struggling to stay in their homes as the city works to provide more affordable housing options.
The city has committed $20 million from the 2020-2021 fiscal budget and more than $150 million in federal grant funding to these issues. The money is used to help thousands of Phoenicians find shelter, work and long-term solutions to the challenges of homelessness.
You can read more about these efforts and how the specific funds are being spent in the PHX Newsroom.
January 15, 2021: City Manager Appoints Homeless Strategies Taskforce
City Manager, Ed Zuercher, appointed 18 individuals representing stakeholders, businesses and neighborhoods to the Strategies to Addresses Homelessness Plan Taskforce that will begin meeting monthly with the new year. The members include, Dawn Marie Augusta from Arizona State University, Jessica Bueno from the Oakland Neighborhood Association, Ken Curry from Southwest Behavioral Health, Dr. Sheila Harris from the Phoenix Community Alliance, Matt Kelly from Mercy Care, Barbra Lewkowitz a private consultant and former CEO of Justa Center, Caroline Lobo from theHUB, Bill Morlan from the Madison Pioneer Coalition, Darlene Newsome the former CEO UMOM, Jerome Parker from the Healthy Giving, Geraldo Pena from Chicanos Por La Causa, Julie Reed a neighborhood leader, Nate Rhoton from One•n•ten, Nathan Smith from the Phoenix Rescue Mission, Jeff Spellman a neighborhood leader, Craig Tribken from the Central Arizona Shelter Services, Ash Uss from the From the Ground up Consulting and DeDe Yazzie Devine from Native American Connections.
November 9, 2020: Remember to Stay Home and Give Smart to Help those Experiencing Homelessness
"This has been a challenging year to accomplish things that we normally take for granted. One of the ways many people choose to give back to our community during the holiday season is by giving to those experiencing homelessness on the street. Unfortunately, this can put our most vulnerable community members at risk of getting COVID-19. Maricopa County Department of Public Health asks that you give to people experiencing homelessness in other ways this holiday season. Please visit www.givesmartaz.org to find healthy ways to provide support for our community," said Marcy Flanagan, Executive Director Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
The Healthy Giving Council (HGC) was formed in 2017 to educate and encourage the community on productive and sustainable giving efforts for those living on the streets. Since then, the HGC has participated in several events to help share the message of "giving smart" with "more than a meal." During this time, organizations, faith-based groups, and caring community members have united in the healthy giving mission and joined the HGC to create awareness of more impactful ways to give.
As you prepare for the holiday season and are considering where to donate and give back, please keep in mind that by street giving, you satisfy hunger for the moment, but unintentionally withhold people from seeking assistance from organizations that not only can provide a hot meal in a safe environment, but who also provide supportive services that can help end homelessness. Street giving creates crowds which puts an already vulnerable population's health at risk. It keeps people on the streets and negatively impacts communities. This year learn how to give back in healthy ways by visiting www.givesmartaz.org and create real, long-lasting change.
October 27, 2020: Phoenix City Council Unanimously Approves Proposed Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan
October 27 Policy Session, Phoenix City Council (video) the City Council unanimoulsy approved the city's revised Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan (PDF).
Part of the initial strategies will be developing a taskforce appointed by the City Manager of services providers, neighborhood leaders, homeless advocates and city staff to implement and guide the strategies.
This webpage will also be transitioning to a reporting site for the plan and information surrounding efforts being taken by the city to address homelessness.
June 24, 2020: Phoenix City Council Requests Public Input on City's Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan
During the June 23 Policy Session, Phoenix City Council (video) requested public input on the city's proposed Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan (English PDF) Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan (Spanish PDF) that focuses on service priorities and sustainable solutions for both those experiencing homelessness and the community impacted by encampments.
