Title
Response to Citizen Request for Information: Elizabeth Venable
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to the citizen petition submitted by Elizabeth Venable on behalf of Fund for Empowerment at the Jan. 24, 2024, Formal Meeting.
Report
Summary
The attached document (Attachment A) was submitted to the City Council identifying a number of issues impacting people experiencing homeless populations and proposals for improvement. Upon review by the Law Department, it was determined the document did not qualify as a citizen petition and therefore, could not be placed on a Council agenda. Staff notified Ms. Venable of the status of the position on Feb. 14, 2024. The request submitted did not qualify as a petition because the letter was not submitted as a “petition” or “citizen petition” and fails to request any action be taken by City Council. The letter is not a citizen petition as contemplated under Chapter IV, Section 22 of the Phoenix City Charter. As a result, this was determined to be an information request and responses are included in this report.
Housing
The City of Phoenix is focused on housing solutions for people exiting homelessness. Affordable housing solutions are essential when discussing solutions to end homelessness. The Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) is committed to many types of housing for people experiencing homelessness through our own supportive housing developments, flexible housing funding and rapid rehousing programs. Rapid rehousing programs are designed to provide short-term rental assistance and services. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded rapid rehousing programs can provide up to 24 months of assistance but are designed to provide only what is necessary until an individual or family is self-sufficient and able to afford their housing costs without assistance. Rapid rehousing programs are tailored to an individual or family’s specific needs as it relates to housing and the supports needed to ensure they remain housed. Current rapid rehousing providers with an OHS contract include Community Bridges, Inc. and A New Leaf.
Emergency Shelter
Emergency shelter is a crisis response that the City of Phoenix has invested heavily in this homelessness intervention over the last several years. OHS is committed to adding more shelter beds to the community, both in the singles and family services systems. OHS added 592 shelter beds in 2022 and 482 temporary shelter beds in 2023. Additionally, Phoenix has 790 shelter beds in various stages of construction currently, the majority of which will be coming on board in 2024. The region’s emergency shelter system has a diverse array of shelter providers, and the City strongly supports maintaining and expanding that diversity.
Workforce Development
Workforce development programming can be a vital intervention for people as they strive to end their homelessness. OHS works with homeless service providers and emergency shelters to provide employment opportunities and workforce development services on site, meeting people where they are with these services. OHS has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul to offer an employment program titled "Neighborhood Brigade" at the Washington Shelter and at the City’s planned new shelter in west Phoenix. This program offers immediate employment opportunities for individuals staying in shelter. OHS is also developing a partnership that will connect people experiencing homelessness with vacant City positions, which will be paired with appropriate training and employment opportunities.
Community Court
The City of Phoenix launched its new Community Court in January 2024. It will provide long-term solutions and services for people experiencing homelessness as an alternative path to the traditional criminal justice system. It allows those accused of misdemeanor offenses to connect with supportive services, specifically tailored to their individual needs, to help them simultaneously resolve their legal issues and end their homelessness.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.