Phoenix City Council Approves New Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness

The Phoenix City Council approved an innovative new plan to address homelessness, building on progress made while aligning with community priorities. This comprehensive roadmap incorporates valuable feedback from residents and service providers, aiming to further reduce homelessness in Phoenix by 2029. The focus moving forward is on implementing long-term solutions to prevent and reduce homelessness in Phoenix.

"This plan reflects how far we've come and where we are going next,” Mayor Kate Gallego said. “By working closely with our partners and the community, we're building a more responsive system that meets people where they are and helps them move forward, while working to resolve neighborhood concerns."

“This plan is a bold step forward, but the fight against homelessness is far from over. We are at a critical state, and we cannot afford to lose momentum. Our commitment must remain unwavering because lives depend on it,” Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington said. “Phoenix has undoubtedly made progress and, by continuing to diversify and strengthen our strategies, we must and we will continue to build on that progress.”

What We’ve Done

The City created its first Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan in 2020. In July 2022, it launched the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS). Since then, Phoenix has shifted its approach; instead of simply funding services, the City delivers them directly, increasing accountability and producing real results. In just three years, the City and its partners have added more than 1,200 shelter beds and created 300 spaces at the Safe Outdoor Space, significantly expanding capacity to serve people experiencing homelessness. The City also revamped its services and outreach efforts to improve effectiveness and eliminate common barriers that prevent people from seeking help.

The New Plan

The City’s commitment to build on this substantial progress is emphasized by the plan’s vision statement: No one in Phoenix should experience homelessness, and no community should feel its negative effects. The City of Phoenix will strive to prevent homelessness when we can, make it brief when it happens, and keep people stable in housing with the supports they need.

The refreshed plan has five key focus areas: 

1. Prevention: Decrease the number of people who become homeless. Target and expand early intervention efforts and housing-focused services for those exiting the justice or behavioral health systems. 
2. Neighborhood Safety: Develop a coordinated, humane enforcement approach that supports outreach and shelter access. Clarify rules around public space use, improving safety for the neighborhood and for people experiencing homelessness.
3. Coordination: Improve coordination with other services, such as behavioral health and medical care and employment assistance, through embedded specialists in outreach and shelter teams.
4. Housing: Provide dedicated housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Use data to determine housing and emergency shelter needs, secure sustainable funding, and expand supportive housing and rental assistance options.
5. System Accountability: Improve accountability and transparency for City services and partners. Enhance coordination across the City’s homelessness response system through real-time reporting, cross-department collaboration, and community engagement.

What We’re Doing Right Now

Phoenix is already putting the new plan into action, with several initiatives underway to deliver real solutions for our community.

Prevention

• Expanding funding resources to help people and families avoid becoming homeless.
• Helping people reunite with family and friends to secure stable housing options.

Neighborhood Safety

• Creating a real-time dashboard of open shelter beds in partnership with ASU’s Luminosity Lab.
• Providing weather relief solutions to protect individuals during extreme conditions.

Housing

• Using inflow and outflow data to guide shelter and housing capacity planning.
• Rapid Exit Pilot: shortening the amount of time people spend in shelter and quickly exiting them to permanent housing.

Accountability

• Offering ways for the community to give back through Healthy Giving, including donation opportunities at the City’s Safe Outdoor Space and Phoenix Navigation Center shelters.

With this updated plan, Phoenix is reinforcing its commitment to reducing homelessness with practical solutions and a clear path forward. The City will continue to explore innovative options, leverage creative partnerships, and respond to community needs. Read the full plan.