| City of Phoenix Adopts Additional Homelessness Services in 2021 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/2091 | Human Services | | 10/4/2021 11:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2091/Untitled (1920 x 1080 px).jpg | | City of Phoenix Adopts Additional Homelessness Services in 2021 | <div class="ExternalClassBD8A0B2EF0A845BB95236E57D47E7033"><html>
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.<br><br>In 2021, the mayor and city council approved implementing new practices designed to supplement the city of Phoenix's ongoing “<a target="_blank" href="/humanservicessite/Documents/Homeless%20Strategies%20Final%20Report.pdf">Strategies to Address Homelessness</a>" plan developed in 2020.<br><br><strong>Heat Relief Program </strong><br><br>The city's Heat Relief Program was extended through September 2021 with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). City council voted to extend an agreement for the rental of heat relief equipment, including shade structures around the Human Services Campus and at St. Vincent de Paul's Watkins location. The city's Heat Relief Program was developed to reduce the effects of extreme heat on populations like those experiencing homelessness.<br><br>The city also launched heat relief buses during the summer months of 2021. Out-of-circulation city buses parked outside of the Human Services Campus every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., serving as mobile cooling centers. People could grab water or come on to the air-conditioned buses to cool off. <br><br>"We must do everything we can to help this vulnerable population during the hot summer months," Phoenix District 7 Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari said of the heat relief cooling buses initiative she spearheaded. “I'm proud to be able to deliver yet another avenue for dignified heat relief and will continue this proactive work in 2022."<br><br>During the months of July, August, and September 2021, there were more than 12,700 visits to cooling buses. This total may include duplicate counts, as they are tallied each hour. <br><br><strong>Cleanups</strong><br><br>For years, the city of Phoenix conducted once-a-week coordinated cleanups of the area outside the Human Services Campus. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, mayor and council directed the city's Street Transportation Department to begin cleaning three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—except for holidays. The increased weekly cleanups began in April 2020 and have continued in 2021. The purpose of the cleanups is to protect the health and safety of people living in and around the encampment.<br><br>"The trash starts to build up again almost immediately after each cleanup," said Bill Morlan, owner of Electric Supply, Inc. located near the Human Services Campus. “I cannot imagine the impact on the unsheltered, the neighborhoods, and the community if these cleanups were not happening. As someone who has been in this neighborhood for decades, I appreciate the city's efforts."<br><br>The city's Street Transportation Department removes approximately four tons of items per month from the roadways and sidewalks during these cleanups.<br><br><strong>Emergency Rental Assistance Program </strong><br><br>Preventing the loss of housing through eviction prevention is a priority in the “Strategies to Address Homelessness." Arizona has had a high eviction rate that has only worsened in 2021. City council allocated $51.1 million in federal emergency rental assistance dollars to begin the
<a target="_blank" href="/humanservices/rental-assistance">Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program</a>
in March of 2021. As of October 2021, the city was distributing an average of $2 million per week to help people with their rent or utilities. The ERA Program is one of nearly a dozen funding sources the city has to assist Phoenix residents with rent and utilities.<br><br>Additionally, through a partnership with Community Legal Services, the city created the
<a target="_blank" href="/humanservices/programs/landlord-tenant-counseling">Tenants Eviction Assistance Project (TEAP)</a>. TEAP provides no-cost legal assistance to residents experiencing an eviction crisis, including working cooperatively with local agencies administering COVID-19 related rental and utility assistance programs for the city of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and the state of Arizona.<br><br><strong>PHX C.A.R.E.S.</strong><br><br><a target="_blank" href="/phxcares">PHX C.A.R.E.S.</a>
(community, action, response, engagement, services) is an ongoing coordinated response to work with neighborhoods and individuals experiencing homelessness to educate and focus on solutions. For those experiencing homelessness, PHX C.A.R.E.S. sends trained outreach teams to encourage them to accept the services and resources that are offered to help end their homelessness.<br><br>If you or someone you know needs resources to address homelessness, you can contact PHX C.A.R.E.S. at 602-262-6251, or <a target="_blank" href="https://phxatyourservice.dynamics365portals.us/phxcares/">submit a request online</a>.<br><br><strong>Strategies to Address Homelessness</strong><br><br>Homelessness is a growing issue across the country, including here in Arizona. It is an issue principally addressed by the city of Phoenix, in tandem with local non-profit partners.<br><br>In October 2020, the mayor and city council approved the city's “Strategies to Address Homelessness": a comprehensive eight-part plan addressing complex and far-reaching challenges that homelessness represents in our community. This strategic plan was developed from data collected in community meetings and surveys. In the course of collecting this data, 700+ people attended meetings, 2,200+ people filled out surveys, 2,200+ community comments were received, and 3,700+ survey comments were processed. <br><br>In order to determine priorities for plan implementation, the city council directed the city manager to create the Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan Task Force. This task force meets monthly and is comprised of 18 neighborhood, business, community, and homeless advocates. View the
<a target="_blank" href="/humanservicessite/Documents/Homeless%20Strategies%20Final%20Report.pdf">“Strategies to Address Homelessness" here.</a><br>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices | News | | human-services | Homeless Services | HS | | | | Homeless | Strategies to Address Homelessness, Human Service | Stephanie Barnes | 602-316-0958 | 602-262-6194 | | | stephanie.barnes@phoenix.gov | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/MediaContact/Attachments/15/Stephanie_Barnes.jpg | | | | | | | | PHXHumanService | |
