Home Is Where It All Starts

Affordable housing has been an ongoing issue, as minimum wage and salaries remain stagnate. Maricopa County has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the United States, according to federal data, with 16.5% of the population earning an income below the poverty line. Every year, the cost of living rises, forcing housing instability. Without a stable home, individuals are not able to prosper, and the economy suffers in several ways.

Secure Housing Leads to Better Education Outcomes

Children are more likely to succeed in school when they are in a stable home. Studies have shown that providing a safe and secure environment can increase math and reading scores, improve behavioral and mental health, and attendance. When a child has to continuously change schools when their family is forced to move due to increased rental rates, they have a more difficult time keeping up with their studies and peers. Early education is crucial for determining post-secondary success, as higher incomes tend to require additional education or specialized training.

Nearly 60% of Jobs in the U.S. Require Some Form of Higher Education

Higher education is key when it comes to affordable housing, as it sets individuals up for greater income opportunities. In Maricopa County alone, only about 46% of the workforce obtains a bachelor’s degree. When jobs require some form of post-secondary education, the majority of the population are not considered for positions. However, it is difficult for those facing homelessness to focus on education when they are struggling with difficult, day-to-day challenges, like needing to choose between paying a utility bill or putting food on the table for their family.

Population Cannot Afford Rent or Mortgages

In Arizona, the minimum wage is $13.85. Averaged over a year, that totals roughly $2,400 a month. The average cost of rent and utilities for one person is $1,330, with many requiring three times the rental rate to even qualify, totaling $3,990. Add in a family’s food costs, gas or transportation costs and more, it simply isn’t possible to get by. When it comes to home ownership, the situation becomes more dire, with median residential home prices at $455,000.

How Does This Affect Businesses?

The partnership that businesses have with their local communities is an important factor when it comes to their success. An unstable or unhoused workforce deters businesses from relocating, building or expanding in Arizona, which could halt job growth and impact Arizona’s economy. When employers see that there are not many opportunities for their employees to live and thrive in a community, they won’t invest there. This can result in multiple shift callouts due to transportation issues, poor attendance due to health, and more.

The Need in Maricopa County

A stable and purposeful life begins with home. In January, the Maricopa Association of Governments conducted its annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count, an annual street and shelter count to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County during a given point in time. The following are some of the results:

• The number counted as homeless was 9,642, an increase from 9,026 in 2022 and 7,419 in 2020 pre-pandemic.
• While the overall number of homeless individuals increased 7%, the number of unhoused individuals decreased 2% to 4,908 as the number of individuals in shelter increased 18% to 4,734.
• Forty-nine percent of the homeless population were in emergency shelters, transitional housing or in a Safe Haven Program.
• Fifty-one percent of the homeless population were still unsheltered.
• Eighty-six percent of those unsheltered are aged 25 to 64, while 8% are aged 18 to 24.

How to Help

1. Say “yes” to affordable housing expansions. Yes In My Back Yard advocates for affordable housing that is inclusive and sustainable. By proposing improvements to housing laws, this group is committed to making housing a reality for many.
2. Attend public zoning committee meetings to voice support. Making sure housing laws are being upheld and having a say in where subsidized housing is located can really make a difference.
3. As temperatures rise, donate to heat respite centers across Maricopa County. Maricopa County identified a total of 425 heat-associated deaths occurring in 2022. This represents a 25% increase from last year.
4. Volunteer with nonprofit organizations that are committed to lending a helping hand in the community. Valley of the Sun United Way is dedicated to bringing Mighty Change in Maricopa County, which includes working with community partners to decrease homelessness 50% by 2026.

Samantha Jackson is the community development and engagement director focused on housing and homelessness initiatives at Valley of the Sun United Way. Valley of the Sun United Way envisions a community where every child, family and individual is healthy; has a safe place to live; and has every opportunity to succeed in school, in life and in work. As VSUW works with its community, corporate and nonprofit partners to implement its five-year plan for Mighty Change by 2026, it will put all its efforts toward reaching bold goals for Maricopa County in health, housing and homelessness, education and workforce development.