City Council took the a step toward adjusting zoning restrictions to add new shelter beds at the Human Services Campus (HSC) located near 13th Ave. and Madison St.
Today’s decision will increase total shelter beds at Central Arizona Shelter Services by 275 to bring the available total number to 700. In addition, the vote will allow St. Vincent de Paul to continue operating 200 beds during extreme weather.
Maricopa County is home to nearly 7,500 individuals experiencing homelessness. More than half of those people lack adequate shelter, and that number is growing steadily. While this is a problem throughout the county and state, homelessness is principally addressed in the city of Phoenix and with local non-profit partners. Currently, there are approximately 1,800 shelter beds available in Maricopa County with 83 percent of those beds are located in the city of Phoenix. With the newly added beds the city of Phoenix will have 1,788 available shelter beds.
Today’s action is part of the city’s ongoing, longstanding work to meet the needs of those in our community experiencing homelessness. This includes efforts to not only assist those currently lacking shelter, but also those struggling to stay in their homes as the city works to provide more affordable housing options. Here is a snapshot of city initiatives and aid to Phoenicians in need this past fiscal year:
- $80 million for pandemic shelter beds and other COVID-related assistance
- $10 million to purchase a hotel to house homeless military veterans
- Summer heat relief at the Phoenix Convention Center
- Refurbished public housing increasing access to affordable energy-efficient apartments
- Rent and mortgage assistance
- $20 million annually for city services related to homelessness, including services providing shelter for 5,430 individuals and families
- Leveraging a $30 million grant from United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to build 1,011 mixed income affordable housing units
- Partnerships with community organizations including UMOM, CPLC, Native American Connections, Justa Center, St. Vincent de Paul and others.
You can read more about these efforts and how the specific funds are being spent in the PHX Newsroom.
