| City of Phoenix and UMOM Open 100 New Shelter Beds for Families Experiencing Homelessness | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/3277 | Neighborhood Services | | 11/13/2024 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3277/UMOMRibbonCutting.jpg | https://youtu.be/SDht9x2RW2E?si=x27slTH_39RKyNOq | City of Phoenix and UMOM Open 100 New Shelter Beds for Families Experiencing Homelessness | <div class="ExternalClassDA7D1E1B7F9841B793A91172EF960764"><html>
<p>The City of Phoenix, in partnership with UMOM, is proud to announce the opening of nearly 100 new shelter beds for families experiencing homelessness. This innovative redesign project converted former administrative offices into 20 shelter units, with 96 total beds.<br></p>
<p>These new units will help address the critical gap in family shelter capacity in Maricopa County, where an estimated 358 families are currently waiting up to nine weeks for stable shelter options. The new space is expected to serve up to 80 families, including 200 children, each year.</p>
<p>“This project is definitely one to celebrate, and will no doubt have life-changing effects on all the families who pass through this shelter on their way to end their homelessness," Mayor Kate Gallego said. “It's also a good example of how our collaboration with community partners, like UMOM, strengthen our ability to help our most underserved residents." </p>
<p>“Today, we are not just opening the doors to a building with beds; we are opening the doors to new opportunities, new beginnings and new possibilities for the single women and families who will find refuge at UMOM Day Centers," said District 8 Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington. “The City of Phoenix is committed to working with our partners to provide resources and support to help individuals in need."</p>
<p>This expansion, funded by a $2 million allocation from the City's Phoenix Housing Department through HOME ARP funds, reflects the City's commitment to providing immediate relief to families while supporting long-term stability. </p>
<p>“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration," said Spencer Self, Director of the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department. “Together, we are able to turn City funds into real solutions for families, ensuring that children have safe shelter and families have a foundation on which to rebuild. We are grateful to our partners at UMOM, as well as our City partner departments on this project including the Hous ing Department and Office of Homeless Solutions." </p>
<p>“Everyone deserves a safe place to raise their family," said Rachel Milne, Office of Homeless Solutions Director. “This new space will help hundreds of families take the first step toward finding their permanent home. This shelter brings the total new beds provided by the City in 2024 to 380, marking significant progress toward our long-term goal of creating safe, accessible shelter for everyone in need in Phoenix."</p>
<p>“We are grateful for the support of the City of Phoenix and their commitment to addressing homelessness in our community," said Jackson Fonder, Chief Executive Officer at UMOM . "These new shelter beds will make a significant impact on the lives of families experiencing homelessness, not only by provid ing immediate relief but also serving as a critical support system, promoting healthier, more stable futures." </p>
<p>With the new shelter beds, the City of Phoenix and UMOM continue their shared commitment to addressing the pressing needs of families experiencing homelessness and fostering a community where all families have the opportunity to thrive. </p>
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<a href="https://phoenix.gov/solutions" target="_blank">
<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Learn more about the City's efforts to address homelessness.</span>
</a> <br><br><a href="https://www.umom.org/media" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Learn more about UMOM</span></a>.<br></p><br>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | Video | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
| City of Phoenix Warns Against Unpermitted Short-Term Rentals Ahead of Special Events | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/3068 | Neighborhood Services | | 4/3/2024 3:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3068/Copy of Newsroom Image.png | | City of Phoenix Warns Against Unpermitted Short-Term Rentals Ahead of Special Events | <div class="ExternalClass017F979B24904B428283FA1248792D72"><html>
<div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">The City is reminding residents that they will face consequences if they rent their home as an unpermitted short-term rental.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe and thriving neighborhoods, the Phoenix City Council approved a text amendment to City Ordinance G-7156 in September 2023, requiring short-term rental owners/operators to obtain a permit and meet specific requirements.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">Since enforcement began in January 2024, the Neighborhood Services Department has been proactively monitoring and enforcing the new ordinance, resulting in over 900 code enforcement cases and more than 600 notices being issued.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">"Illegal short-term rentals pose safety concerns for our residents,” said Neighborhood Services Department Director, Spencer Self. “With many special events coming to Phoenix, we want to warn those preparing to offer unpermitted short-term rentals that we are actively enforcing the ordinance and issuing notices, which can lead to hefty fines.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">The first violation for operating an unpermitted short-term rental will result in a minimum fine of $500 or an amount equal to one night's rent, whichever is greater. Continued violations can lead to fines of up to $3,500 or an amount equal to three nights' rent per day.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">The City urges all residents who are considering renting out their property for short-term stays to ensure they are following all necessary regulations and obtaining proper permits.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">The Neighborhood Services Department encourages residents to report any suspected illegal short-term rentals in their neighborhood by submitting a complaint through myPHX311, or by emailing blight@phoenix.gov.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:17.3333px;">For more information on short-term rental regulations and enforcement, visit phoenix.gov/str.</span></div>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
| Celebrating 10 Years of Raising Awareness to Keep Phoenix Graffiti-Free | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/3008 | Neighborhood Services | | 2/1/2024 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3008/Graffiti Free Phoenix Newsroom Image.png | | Celebrating 10 Years of Raising Awareness to Keep Phoenix Graffiti-Free | <div class="ExternalClassCB2DC4AECB8043BEA7218C1BC7CC0ABD"><html><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><p>February 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Graffiti-Free Phoenix Awareness Month. While anti-graffiti education occurs year-round, the City of Phoenix highlights the issue in February to raise awareness about the negative effects of graffiti. The City is committed to creating a safe, clean, and beautiful environment for residents and encourages them to take an active role in reporting graffiti observed in their neighborhoods. </p><p>“We all play a part in keeping Phoenix clean and beautiful, and this Graffiti-Free Phoenix Awareness Month, I encourage residents to remain vigilant and committed to helping us remove graffiti around the city," said Mayor Kate Gallego. “Whether you are interested in resources to remove graffiti yourself or prefer one of our dedicated, professional teams assist you, the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department is here to help." </p><p><strong>Graffiti Busters </strong></p><p>Did you know that in most cases, the City will remove graffiti for free? In 2023, the Neighborhood Services Department's Graffiti Busters used over 10,000 gallons of paint and cleaned up more than 51,000 graffiti sites in Phoenix. Each day, they can efficiently cover or eliminate as many as 200 graffiti sites, without charging any fees to residents or businesses. </p><p>“The work that our Graffiti Busters do is incredibly important for our city. They work 7 days a week, responding to and tracking down reports of graffiti," said Neighborhood Services Department Director, Spencer Self. “By removing it quickly and efficiently, the Graffiti Busters are helping to maintain a sense of pride and safety in our community." </p><p><strong>See graffiti? Report it! </strong></p><p>Reporting graffiti is an important step to keeping Phoenix graffiti-free. Don't forget, graffiti is a crime. If you see it in action, call 911. If you notice graffiti, report it using one of three simple methods: </p><ul style="" class="" dir=""><li>Call: 602-534-4444 </li><li>Email: <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?e379ca9c4740bc41a0d223f39a2561e35e226a5ae826a4924bae30fcd607bc8b" target="_blank">blight@phoenix.gov </a></li><li>Online: myPHX311 <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?ab21473be339166b218449302688daae3a09a013ddb567b141cb698906f9846c" target="_blank">Phoenix.gov/myPHX311</a> </li></ul><p><br><strong>Be a Neighborhood Hero </strong><br><br>“We want the community to feel empowered to take action to keep their neighborhood beautiful," said Graffiti Busters program manager, Betsy Cable. “Residents can organize a community cleanup and the City will provide you with free color-matched paint and supplies to remove it on your own." <br><br>For more information on how to get involved and resources to make Phoenix graffiti-free, visit <a href="https://action.phoenix.gov/c1.pl?c1a9130eaf0afd501999225716b20e473ec3612da8fe0fea633801739afddca3" target="_blank">Phoenix.gov/Graffiti</a>. </p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><p><br></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
| City of Phoenix Launches Vacant Property Registry | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2966 | Neighborhood Services | | 1/2/2024 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2966/Newsroom Image.png | | City of Phoenix Launches Vacant Property Registry | <div class="ExternalClassBFEE1F5000D14EE4A7DDCEDFDD0D873D"><html>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The City of Phoenix’s Vacant Property Registry (VPR) is now open to the public. In a new ordinance passed by the Phoenix City Council last month, properties vacant for more than 30 days that meet the following criteria are now required to register with the Neighborhood Services Department:</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Non-residential properties</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Unimproved land that is 10,000 or more square feet</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Residential properties with 50 or more units</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The VPR takes an important step toward addressing the community’s need for increased communication with vacant property owners. Before establishing the VPR, the City faced challenges with locating property owners, especially those who reside out-of-state. The new ordinance addresses these challenges by requiring owners to register annually, provide contact information and report occupancy changes within 10 days. In addition, out-of-state owners are required to designate a local point of contact who can address issues promptly.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“This is a huge win for Phoenix neighborhoods,” said Neighborhood Services Department Director, Spencer Self. “The Vacant Property Registry will enable the City to respond more efficiently to issues like blight and crime and put us in direct contact with property owners to provide essential education and resources.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The Neighborhood Services Department aims to educate property owners about property maintenance requirements and available City resources by offering access to waivers and educational materials in the VPR portal. Some of those resources include:</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Authority to Arrest (ATA)</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Graffiti Removal Waiver</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Private Property Access Waiver</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Common Blight Violations</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“The Neighborhood Services Department is committed to partnering with residents and providing resources to help preserve and enhance Phoenix neighborhoods,” said Director Self.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Enforcement will begin on unregistered vacant properties in February 2024. With fines ranging from $500 to $2,500, the Neighborhood Services Department urges property owners to register as soon as possible. “We made the registration process very simple,” said Director Self. “The free, online portal is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">The Vacant Property Registry is available now on myPHX311, the City of Phoenix’s online service portal.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">For more information, visit phoenix.gov/nsd/vacantpropertyregistry.</span>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
| Neighborhood Services and VALLEYLIFE Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for New Healthy Prep Kitchen | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2937 | Neighborhood Services | | 11/17/2023 1:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2937/Valleylife Photo.png | | Neighborhood Services and VALLEYLIFE Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for New Healthy Prep Kitchen | <div class="ExternalClass441B295F36064DD8BCAAED7EDE0909D2"><html>
Today, The City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department and VALLEYLIFE, a non-profit that provides residential services, day activity centers, vocational services, and in-home services to Phoenix residents with disabilities, celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new healthy prep kitchen. <br><br>Funded by a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department, the new kitchen is located inside VALLEYLIFE’s existing facility and will be used to prepare healthy pre-packaged meal kits, as part of an effort to enhance the organization’s Eat Well Feel Great Nutrition Program. <br><br>“VALLEYLIFE’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities. Our first goal in achieving this mission is to ensure the health and safety of our members. One critical point of that goal is to provide healthy meals and nutrition. We are thankful for this opportunity to expand our nutrition program with this new kitchen,” said VALLEYLIFE President and CEO, Cletus Thiebeau. <br><br>"This project is an example of how we are able to work together to create meaningful change in our communities," said Neighborhood Services Department Director, Spencer Self. “The City of Phoenix is proud to partner with VALLEYLIFE with the help of CDBG funding to enhance the facility and increase access to healthy meals. This project is a testament to our department's commitment to partnering with the community to enhance, preserve and engage Phoenix neighborhoods.” <br><br>VALLEYLIFE’s new prep kitchen will serve 25 group homes, 12 of which reside in Phoenix.<p><br><br></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
| NSD Celebrates CDBG-Funding at Work at Palo Verde Middle School | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2890 | Neighborhood Services | | 10/13/2023 7:00:00 AM | | https://youtu.be/HC-SuAXoY1g | NSD Celebrates CDBG-Funding at Work at Palo Verde Middle School | <div class="ExternalClass27A9A683CFB7407E94F18FEBB7ABF2E8"><html>
<p>The City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department recently celebrated the completion of the Washington Elementary District (WESD) Renovation of Existing Facilities project with a ribbon-cutting event at Palo Verde Middle School. Funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/Community Development Block Grant Cares Act (CDBG-CV) funds through NSD's Covid Clean Public Facility and School Improvement Upgrade Program, the City of Phoenix was able to renovate four WESD schools, including the installation of nearly 100 HVAC units and new water filler and hand washing stations. <br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | Video | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
| Celebrating New Lighting at Palomino Park | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2753 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/22/2023 11:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2753/Newsroom_NSD_101.png | | Celebrating New Lighting at Palomino Park | <div class="ExternalClass5532AE4B98064DC9AEBF63003983B0BC"><html>
<p><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">The Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of 38 new LED lights at Palomino Park. </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"><br></span></p>
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<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">In partnership with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, NSD invested nearly $390,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install new lighting, ensuring the parking lot, walkways and ball courts are safe, well-lit environments. The lighting project will also provide added safety benefits to neighboring facilities including Palomino Primary and Intermediate Schools and the Metropolitan Phoenix Ed Robson Family Branch Boys and Girls Club. </span>
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<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">The City recognizes that enhanced park lighting is a high priority for Phoenix neighborhoods and is investing nearly $2 million in park lighting this year.</span></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | News | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
| Project Haven Construction Kickoff | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/neighborhood-services/2747 | Neighborhood Services | | 5/15/2023 9:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/d0BYthyhH6U | Project Haven Construction Kickoff | <div class="ExternalClassA7CE6B80797B4C62A5105B798014938D"><html>
<p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>The City of Phoenix, in partnership with Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), is celebrating the start of construction at The Haven, a new facility that will serve as a first option for individuals experiencing homelessness over the age of 55 years old. The Phoenix City Council awarded $4 million of CARES Act funding to CASS for the renovation of the old Phoenix Inn to create The Haven, which will support approximately 170 seniors at a time. </p>Learn more about the City's Office of Homeless Solutions and efforts to address homelessness at phoenix.gov/solutions <br><br>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd | Video | neighborhood-services | NSD | | |
