| City of Phoenix Recognizes Ten Years of 'Paint Phoenix Purple' — a Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/2508 | Human Services | | 9/30/2022 7:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/xXeVlxkpcAk | City of Phoenix Recognizes Ten Years of 'Paint Phoenix Purple' — a Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign | <div class="ExternalClassAB441B71035940FB803557493F999934"><html>
<p>October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month — raising awareness around one of the most widespread and dangerous health and safety challenges in our community today. <a target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices/programs/strategicinitiatives/paintphoenixpurple" href="/humanservices/programs/strategicinitiatives/paintphoenixpurple">Paint Phoenix Purple</a> is a City of Phoenix awareness campaign brought to you by a collaboration of more than 50 community, private, and public organizations. <br><br>In December of 2012, the Mayor and City Council endorsed the goal to end domestic violence in Phoenix. In April 2013, that plan was approved. Here are just a few accomplishments over the last 10 years:<br></p>
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<p>Created and distributed more than 80k resources to community partners with information on local shelters, safety planning, and identifying domestic violence</p>
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<p>Created a centralized screening hotline for placement in local shelters</p>
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<p>Offered trainings classes to City of Phoenix employees and the community on subjects such as the Arizona Child & Adolescent Survivor Initiative (ACASI) and domestic violence in the LGBTQIA+ community</p>
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<p>Reached more than 75k students through outreach events at local high schools with lunch time resource fairs, football and volleyball games, and classroom trainings</p>
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<p>Raised approximately $12k through an online store created for City employees and community members to purchase Paint Phoenix Purple merchandise to wear during the month of October; proceeds benefited the <a target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.acesdv.org/" href="https://www.acesdv.org/">Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence</a> (ACESDV)</p>
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<p>Collected more than 30k items including toiletries, cleaning supplies, new clothing, pet items, and prepaid cell phones for local shelters through an annual donation in conjunction with ACESDV <br></p>
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<p>Additionally, the City’s <a target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices/programs/victims/fac" href="/humanservices/programs/victims/fac">Family Advocacy Center</a> (FAC) made major strides forward, including:<br></p>
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<p>Launched an Order of Protection Pilot program in February 2014 – the FAC worked with other valley law enforcement to develop service processes when orders obtained in Phoenix must be served elsewhere</p>
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<p>In February 2016, FAC received Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to implement a mobile victim advocacy project, allowing the expansion of service delivery beyond the walls of the FAC </p>
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<p>Victim Services Division developed a new electronic system for assigning referrals to Victim Advocates in December 2019, allowing Advocates to spend more time providing services to crime victims<br></p>
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<p>Join the City in recognizing this important initiative all throughout the month. See a calendar of events below and <a target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices/programs/strategicinitiatives/paintphoenixpurple" href="/humanservices/programs/strategicinitiatives/paintphoenixpurple">more details here</a>. </p><p style="text-align:center;"><a target="_blank" href="/humanservices/programs/strategicinitiatives/paintphoenixpurple" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices/programs/strategicinitiatives/paintphoenixpurple" style="text-align:center;background-color:window;font-size:10pt;"><img src="https://action.phoenix.gov/users/myteam46126/Media5918.png?1664561562650" data-placement="custom" align="middle" alt="Paint Phoenix Purple 2022 Calendar.PNG" hspace="0" vspace="0" border="0" style="width:550px;height:678px;" /></a><br></p><p>If you or someone you know is a victim, please call 1-800-799-HELP (7233) or <a target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.phoenix.gov/police/domesticviolence" href="/police/domesticviolence">visit this page for more resources</a>.<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices | Video | human-services |
| City of Phoenix Invests $8 Million to Expand Family Shelter Solutions | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/2570 | Human Services | | 11/17/2022 12:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2570/Newsroom_HumanServices_005.jpg | | City of Phoenix Invests $8 Million to Expand Family Shelter Solutions | <div class="ExternalClass0510889B7507460E9CB76E36295F9C9B"><html>
<p><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">The City of Phoenix is investing $8 million to help add more safe, indoor spaces for families experiencing homelessness. On Wednesday, the City Council approved two contracts with the Salvation Army and UMOM New Day Center, which will help more than 250 additional vulnerable families each year. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span><br><br></p>
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<span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“The need for additional family shelter is urgent,” said Rachel Milne, Director of the Office of Homeless Solutions. “Right now, a family who is experiencing homelessness typically waits 10 to 11 weeks before they can get into a shelter. These projects are crucial so that the families aren’t forced to wait any longer to get a roof over their heads.”</span>
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<span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">The City is investing $6 million to add an additional family shelter building to the Salvation Army campus at 2707 E. Van Buren St. The new building will add 12 family units with beds for as many as 60 people. The expansion will increase the number of families the shelter can serve at one time from 24 to 36. It is expected that the additional rooms will serve more than 170 families each year, including more than 260 children. The Salvation Army Family Shelter currently provides housing, meals, case management, life skills classes, and occupational and crisis counseling to families for up to four months.</span>
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<span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">The City also allocated $2 million to create an additional 20 family shelter units at the UMOM New Day Centers campus at </span>
<span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">3333 E Van Buren St. The funding will cover the remodeling and repurposing of an existing building on the campus which can serve an additional 80 families each year. Families typically stay in the shelter program for about 3 months. </span>
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<span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Funding for the expansion of both Family Emergency Shelter Services is available from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and Community Development Block Grant coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security Act (CDBG-CV) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).</span>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices | News | human-services |
| Volunteers Needed for Tax Season | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/2542 | Human Services | | 10/28/2022 6:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2542/Newsroom_HumanService_Classroom.jpg | | Volunteers Needed for Tax Season | <div class="ExternalClassA50CEB002EA44846AB81C8DE75AFE5C9"><html><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">The City of Phoenix needs your help to save taxpayers hundreds of dollars on filing their taxes. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an accountant or a math whiz to give back to your community. The City’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will provide all the training you need to help low-to-limited-income individuals and families file their returns for free. </span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> <br></span><br><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">VITA volunteers help educate taxpayers about their returns and make sure they claim every deduction and credit available. Over the last</span><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"> 18 years</span><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">, VITA volunteers have assisted Phoenix residents in obtaining over $100 million dollars in tax refunds.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">VITA volunteers are certified by the IRS to prepare basic tax returns or help taxpayers complete their own taxes using free do-it-yourself VITA tax software. But we need more than just tax preparers to volunteer. Greeters are the friendly faces who welcome residents to their appointment. We need Screeners to help make sure taxpayers are eligible for free tax preparation and that they have all the necessary documents to file. Our Site Coordinators organize and supervise all VITA sites and volunteers. And, if you’re bilingual, we really need you! Interpreters help provide tax preparation assistance to clients who speak languages other than English.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“There are many personal and professional benefits to becoming a VITA volunteer,” said Julie Bordelon, VITA Program Coordinator. “Our team members give back to the community, interact with people, make friends, and network. You’ll learn new skills that can help build your resume to get a job or grow your career. Plus, you’ll save money. If you become IRS certified, you’ll never have to pay someone else to do your taxes for you.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Volunteering for VITA doesn’t require a huge time commitment and comes with a flexible schedule. We ask that you volunteer for a minimum of four hours per week during tax season from mid-January through mid-April. The training is free and available online to complete at your own pace. You can become a volunteer with as little as 8 hours of training and get IRS certified with 24 hours of training. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Ready to sign up and work with our VITA team? Register for the next Virtual Information Session on November 8, 2022</span><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">.</span><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"> from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita-information-session-tickets-343377089117" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">Learn more about VITA at <a href="/humanservices/programs/tax-prep" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/taxhelp</a>.</span></div><div></div><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices | News | human-services |
| How The City of Phoenix is Working to Address Homelessness | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/2266 | Human Services | | 3/11/2022 8:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2266/Newsroom_HSD_001.png | | How The City of Phoenix is Working to Address Homelessness | <div class="ExternalClass6F88F586D29748A9A3BA2FA1DABCF0EC"><html>The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) released the <a href="https://azmag.gov/Portals/0/Homelessness/PIT-Count/2022/2022-2014_Unsheltered-Street-Count-by-Municipality.pdf?ver=BVaJMWAetqGlbxwUGnDTjw%3d%3d" target="_blank">data</a> 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.<br><br>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.<br><br>This fiscal year, the City dedicated nearly $50 million for homelessness solutions to provide shelters, rapid rehousing, outreach, and mental health services through partnerships with various community organizations and nonprofits.<br><br><strong style="text-decoration:underline;">Homelessness Solutions:</strong><br style="text-decoration:underline;"><br><strong>Shelters:</strong> $27.9 million.<br>A Sprung Structure is currently being constructed on the Human Services Campus (HSC) which will add 100 new beds and additional restrooms in the area. That project is expected to be complete in mid-March 2022. The City of Phoenix also funded 175 new beds at Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS). Additional funding provides an emergency crisis shelter for families at Chicanos Por La Causa, a shelter for veterans with 145 rooms, an emergency shelter for vulnerable seniors as well as COVID-19 emergency shelters.<br><br><strong>Rapid Rehousing:</strong> $4.7 million.<br>The City of Phoenix contracted with community partners CASS, A New Leaf, Inc. & UMOM to provide COVID-19 Rapid Rehousing for families, single women & single men. The City also contracted with Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) for Rapid Rehousing bridge support and Native American Connections (NAC) for Rapid Rehousing support for youth.<br><br><strong>Outreach Services:</strong> $8.3 million.<br>The City of Phoenix prioritizes leading with services when it comes to those experiencing homelessness and recognizes that there are unique populations that require specialized services to best meet their needs. The City provides outreach and engagement services for persons experiencing homelessness through contracts with various community partners. Services include veteran navigation & coordination services, navigation & wraparound services for justice-involved individuals, COVID-19 support for seniors experiencing homelessness, and COVID-19 related homelessness prevention. Community partners include CBI, HSC, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SWBH), Justa Center, U.S. Vets, Homeward Bound, and Phoenix Rescue Mission.<br><br><strong>Mental Health Services: </strong>$9 million.<br>The City of Phoenix has a tentative contract with Mercy Care, set to begin on or about April 2022, to provide mental health services for people experiencing homelessness.<br><br><strong style="text-decoration:underline;">Eviction Prevention:<br></strong><br style="text-decoration:underline;">Preventing the loss of housing through eviction prevention is a priority in the City of Phoenix. The U.S. Treasury has allocated 106 million dollars to the City of Phoenix for Emergency Rental Assistance to prevent residents from losing their homes. $51.1 million was allocated to begin ERA 1.0 on March 8, 2021. All ERA 1.0 program funds were disbursed as of January 2022. The Treasury allocated $55.3 million for ERA 2.0, the City began disbursement of those funds in October 2021. To date, $66,060,002 in rental assistance has been disbursed.<br><br>Additionally, through a partnership with <a href="https://clsaz.org/" target="_blank">Community Legal Services</a>, the city created the <a href="/humanservices/programs/landlord-tenant-counseling" target="_blank">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 style="text-decoration:underline;">Affordable Housing Initiatives:<br></strong><br>The City of Phoenix operates 1,567 public housing units, administers more than 7,000 Housing Choice Vouchers, and provides 1,200 housing units to seniors. The following are several of the City's major affordable housing initiatives:<br><br><strong>Housing Phoenix Plan: </strong>The Housing Phoenix plan was adopted by the Mayor & City Council in 2020 to continue to explore innovative and effective strategies to continue to provide critical affordable housing for the community. It set the goal of creating or preserving 50,000 homes by 2030. Through December 2021, 23,090 units have been created or preserved.<br><br><strong>New affordable housing creation:</strong> The City of Phoenix invested approximately $5.8 million to develop 126 new affordable single-family detached homes for low- and moderate-income homebuyers in South Phoenix Village (SPV).<br><br><strong>Landlord Incentive Program:</strong> The City of Phoenix provided $500,000 in incentives to landlords for accepting vouchers, with another $1 million in the pipeline. 570 landlords have received incentive payments for executing 1,297 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contracts. On Feb 16, 2022, City Council approved increasing the incentive payments to $2,000.<br><br><strong>Housing Rehabilitation Program:</strong> The City of Phoenix Invested nearly $2.5 million to preserve 164 affordable homes, with an average per-home investment of nearly $15,000 in 2021 alone.<br><br><strong>Down payment assistance:</strong> The City of Phoenix worked to support low-income, first-time homebuyers by selling 299 homes from the City of Phoenix public housing portfolio.<br><br><strong>HOME Investment Partnership Program:</strong> The City of Phoenix's distribution of HOME funds has been successful in delivering approximately 6,300 affordable housing units, with 1,200 underway today.<br><br>The City of Phoenix unifies community partners and resources to respond to neighborhoods and businesses impacted by homelessness with education and services. If you have questions or concerns about a homelessness issue in your neighborhood, you are encouraged to report it to PHX C.A.R.E.S. by calling 602-262-6251 or fill out a report <a href="https://phxatyourservice.dynamics365portals.us/phxcares/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices | News | human-services |
