​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​CARES logo

A coordinated response for neig​hborhoods and individuals experiencing homelessness—​ offering education, resources, and encampment cleanups. ​

Call: 602-262-6251​​​​​​​

  ​Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 



 PHX C.A.R.E.S. at Work

 

 

HOW IT WORKS1766https://www.phoenix.gov/Media Assets/Sliders/HOW IT WORKS.jpgHOW IT WORKShttps://www.phoenix.gov/humanservicessite/Documents/How%20It%20Works.pdfhttps://www.phoenix.gov/Media Assets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=1766 ​​​PHX C.A.R.E.S. is a coordinated response for neighborhoods and individuals experiencing homelessness—offering education, resources, and encampment cleanups. ​ <div class="ExternalClassD994A2B9545242BD8E5B3C515BCE3232">​​​PHX C.A.R.E.S. is a coordinated response for neighborhoods and individuals experiencing homelessness—offering education, resources, and encampment cleanups. ​<br></div>0x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214007F80A03ACE71234A93E8BBD7B87318C1Image
WORKING TOGETHER1767https://www.phoenix.gov/Media Assets/Sliders/WORKING TOGETHER.jpgWORKING TOGETHERhttps://www.phoenix.gov/nsd/programs/cleanups-and-tool-lendinghttps://www.phoenix.gov/Media Assets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=1767 ​​​From connecting neighbors for community meetings, to organizing neighborhood cleanups, there is help to beautify your neighborhoods, and to increase the sense of community. ​​ <div class="ExternalClass8CCEA93D7AE6434FAA985107C6F09D28"><p>​​​From connecting neighbors for community meetings, to organizing neighborhood cleanups, there is help to beautify your neighborhoods, and to increase the sense of community. ​​<br></p></div>0x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214007F80A03ACE71234A93E8BBD7B87318C1Image

Strategies to Address Homelessness

The Phoenix City Council requested a strategic plan to focus on strategies for persons experiencing homelessness as well as developing best practices to mitigate impacts to surrounding communities and neighborhoods.​ Read the Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan​.

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 Plan. Throughout 2021, the Task Force met to review and evaluate the City’s Strategies to Address Homelessness 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​.​

 

 

City of Phoenix Launches 12th Annual Paint Phoenix Purple Campaignhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/3226Human Services10/1/2024 7:20:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3226/SI_Newsroom_003.JPGCity of Phoenix Launches 12th Annual Paint Phoenix Purple Campaign<div class="ExternalClassE421EAA653234234A2E8ECED54966C53"><html>​<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">​The City of Phoenix invites you to join us in the Paint Phoenix Purple Campaign to help spread awareness to prevent domestic violence and support victims and survivors. This is the 12</span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span data-fontsize="12">th</span></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"> year for the campaign, which addresses a very serious problem that is often difficult to talk about and recognize</span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">. O</span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">ne in four women and one in ten men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, a</span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">ccording to the National Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Survey.</span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span><br><div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"></span> <br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">The Paint Phoenix Purple Campaign is a local collaboration of more than 50 community, private and public organizations. The City partners with these groups to provide educational resources, activities, and support services for victims including workshops on recognizing signs of abuse, support groups for survivors and community events.</span> <br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"></span> <br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><strong>Show your Support! Wear purple on Thursday, October 24.</strong></span><strong> </strong><br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">The color purple is affiliated with ending domestic violence. Wear purple on October 24 </span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">and post a photo using #PaintPHXPurple. The City of Phoenix is encouraging all residents to join in the effort by wearing purple and participating in local events throughout October. </span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">The City of Phoenix is hosting or is a partner with the below events open to the public and more.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><strong>Parks and Recreation Paint Phoenix Purple Kickoff </strong></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Friday, October 4 from 10 a.m. - noon</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Eastlake Park – 1549 E. Jefferson St.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><strong>South Phoenix Cares 2</strong></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span data-fontsize="12"><strong>nd</strong></span></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><strong> Annual Breast Cancer & Domestic Violence Walk & Celebration </strong></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Sunday, October 20</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">1–6 p.m. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">3345 E. Roeser Rd. Phoenix 85040</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"> </span></div><div><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><strong>YWCA Community Conversation </strong></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Wednesday, October 23 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Burton Barr Central Library Pulliam Auditorium - 1221 N. Central Ave. Phoenix 85004</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":720}"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"></span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">For more information about Paint Phoenix Purple or how you can get involved, please visit </span><a style="background-color:window;font-size:10pt;" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="http://www.phoenix.gov/paintphoenixpurple"><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">our website</span></a><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">. </span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> </span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"></span> <br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Follow the City of Phoenix Strategic Initiatives on </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/PHXStrategicInitiatives/"><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Facebook</span></a><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"> and </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/PHXInitiatives"><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">Twitter</span></a><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"> (X) for resources, stories and more throughout the month.</span> <br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"></span> <br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><strong>Paint Phoenix Purple History:</strong></span><strong> </strong><br><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">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. Learn more about the campaign and the accomplishments of the City of Phoenix </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="/humanservices/programs/strategicinitiatives/paintphoenixpurple"><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">here​</span></a><span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">.</span> <br></div><br><img src="/humanservicessite/MediaAssets/PPP%20for%20Newsroom%20Article%202024.png" style="margin:5px;width:495px;" /><br><br></html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservicesNewshuman-services
City of Phoenix Recognizes Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Offers Training Opportunitieshttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/3321Human Services1/9/2025 4:00:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3321/Copy of Newsroom_HumanTraffickingPCHBlue.pngCity of Phoenix Recognizes Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Offers Training Opportunities<div class="ExternalClassF53BF96C000D4250960A3A3C528F9177"><html> <p><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">T<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;">he City of Phoenix Strategic Initiatives team invites you to join us in raising awareness of human trafficking. Every January, the City of Phoenix recognizes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month to bring attention to a serious issue that impacts all our communities.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">In 2013, the Mayor and City Council created the Mayor's Human Trafficking Task Force to establish Phoenix as a national leader in addressing and combating human trafficking. From the task force came a roadmap called </span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.phoenix.gov/compassplan"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">The Compass Plan</span></a><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">, which outlines strategic and operational actions to approach the problem through law enforcement, victim services, training, awareness and outreach. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">All month, City Hall will be illuminated in blue to recognize National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. There are several opportunities this month to learn about human trafficking in our communities, get involved, and show your support for survivors.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">Below are some virtual opportunities to learn more and get resources.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;"> </span><a target="_blank" href="/humanservicessite/Documents/January%202025%20HT%20Virtual%20Trainings%20Flyer.pdf"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">Human Trafficking 2025 Virtual Training</span></a>: <span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;background-color:window;color:windowtext;">January 7, 9, 15, 16, 23 and 24.​</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">Visit </span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.phoenix.gov/compassplan"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">Phoenix.gov/CompassPlan</span></a><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;"> to learn more about The Compass Plan and other local efforts to address human trafficking, and follow us on </span><a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/PHXInitiatives"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">X</span></a><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;"> or </span><a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/PHXInitiatives"><span style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;">Facebook.</span></a><br style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;"><br style="font-family:"Segoe UI", Segoe, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;"></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservicesNewshuman-services
How The City of Phoenix is Working to Address Homelessnesshttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/2266Human Services3/11/2022 8:30:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2266/Newsroom_HSD_001.pngHow 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/humanservicesNewshuman-services
Respiro Adds 100 Beds to Human Services Campushttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/human-services/2285Human Services3/25/2022 11:45:00 PMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig-YRnEyJ6ERespiro Adds 100 Beds to Human Services Campus<div class="ExternalClass4BE48E7E3BB6433E9FA7763251650187"><html> <p>​Preview the new Respiro structure, which will add 100 shelter beds and additional restrooms to the Human Services Campus. The structure will initially provide critical nighttime respite for people experiencing homelessness. The $1.6 million dollar structure, funded by the City of Phoenix, is just one step among many in the City's continued efforts and investments to increase shelter capacity, connect people with services and resources, and find solutions to homelessness.<br><br><br></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservicesVideohuman-services

What We Do

At its core, PHX C.A.R.E.S. is the city's process of connecting the community with services like encampment cleanups, shelters, and other resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.​

We Can Help

The City of Phoenix unifies community partners and resources to respond to neighborhoods and businesses impacted by homelessness with education and services. 


Neighborhood Resources

Office of Homeless Solutions Learn About Neighborhood ProgramsFind Neighborhood Organizations in Your AreaLearn About Trespassing OrdinancesGet To Know Your Police Resources Shopping Cart RetrievalResources for People Experiencing HomelessnessHealthy Giving Council