Title
Office of Homeless Solutions Program Report
Description
This report is issued monthly to provide the City Council with an update regarding the City’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness within our community by the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS). This report does not encompass the totality of the City’s efforts to address homelessness but rather provides a review of the key highlights from the preceding month and an update on major upcoming projects.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix is committed to working with the community, service providers and our regional partners to implement regional solutions to address homelessness and mitigate impacts to neighborhoods. The information below are highlights from OHS in the areas of shelter, outreach, procurement and success stories.
Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) Update
To address the need to relocate unsheltered individuals camping in the area surrounding the Key Campus (formerly the Human Services Campus) who were willing to accept an alternative placement solution other than indoor shelter, the City of Phoenix made available a safe, outdoor structured campground site. The site, operated in partnership with the Key Campus, Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) and Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP), offers 200 camp sites for up to 300 individuals, including on site services, such as heat/winter respite, case management, meals and behavioral health services.
Program Update
Between Nov. 1, 2023, and June 13, 2024, the SOS has served a total of 590 individuals, of which 155 are still staying at the site. There have been 435 individuals that have exited the SOS, of which 41 percent have had a positive exit which may include moving to an emergency shelter, reuniting with family, and 10 people obtaining their own apartment. The positive exits seen are a result of the collaboration and coordination between OHS, CBI, and the Key Campus partners working with each individual and leveraging each partner’s expertise and resources.
SOS Success Story
A 39-year-old male experiencing homelessness since February 2023 was outreached at his encampment located behind the Key Campus. Upon initial contact, the client was educated and offered services at the SOS; however, he declined reporting that he was not in need of additional assistance. Outreach staff encouraged him to tour the facility before declining the opportunity. After completing the tour, he agreed to services at the SOS and completed intake. He was connected to onsite case management and assisted in acquiring food stamps, referred to a primary care physician for physical health ailments and enrolled into the workforce program offered at the SOS. He was offered employment through a local landscaping company. He was then transferred to a hotel shelter for ongoing case management services that lead to housing opportunities.
Phoenix Navigation Center Progress
The City of Phoenix will add 280 beds for individuals experiencing homelessness at the proposed new shelter being constructed at 11 S. 71st Ave. While the permanent site continues to be constructed, a temporary structure will be in place at the site to provide 100 indoor shelter beds to individuals this summer, as well as two X-wings providing an additional 40 beds. Installation of the temporary structure began this week. The Community Advisory Committee comprised of nearby residents, local businesses, and other stakeholders, held its first meeting on June 18, 2024.
Community Court
Community Court has been operating since the beginning of January with court on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Community Court has had 149 participants to date. Of these, 11 participants have graduated from the program with achievements including obtaining vital documents, entering shelter, addressing their physical and mental health, and gaining employment. The collaboration of the Prosecutor’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and OHS, along with CBI, continues to create individualized plans to assist individuals to addressing their homelessness and help participants achieve their goals.
Key Campus Encampment Efforts
OHS completed a total of 15 outreach and engagement efforts in the area surrounding the Key Campus between May 10 and Nov. 1, 2023, and closed streets to camping. Efforts included offering indoor shelter and services, assisting individuals with moving belongings as they were asked to relocate, and cleaning of streets by removing trash, waste, and other debris from each identified block. At the time the efforts began, nearly 700 individuals camped in the right of way in the area from 7th Avenue to 15th Avenue, Van Buren Street to Harrison Street, and it was by far the state’s largest encampment.
As a result of this effort, staff engaged over 700 people in the area, 590 of which accepted indoor shelter, treatment or alternative placement. Attachment A includes the number of individuals engaged and the number who accepted shelter on the day of each engagement effort. Attachment B depicts the percent distribution per shelter resulting from the efforts to date. Attachment C illustrates where the individuals who originally accepted indoor shelter, treatment or alternative placement during these efforts went as of a particular point in time. Updated data as of March 27, 2024, now reflects the SOS as a destination and shows that 61 percent remain in an indoor environment or at the SOS, while 23 percent have left shelter and are again in an unsheltered situation. Previous data as of Jan. 27, 2024, showed 65 percent remained in an indoor environment or the SOS, while 19 percent had left shelter and were again in an unsheltered situation.
Since Nov. 1, 2023, staff continue to enforce the court-ordered no-camping requirement in this area. In addition, proactive outreach and education continue to take place, and the area continues to be monitored and individuals encountered are engaged and offered shelter and the SOS as options.
Office of Homeless Solutions Staff Outreach Success Stories
Success Story
A Homeless Liaison encountered a 22-year-old male sleeping in a small tunnel in a wash near 7th Avenue and Bell Road. The individual reported being homeless in Phoenix for four years and reported active substance abuse. The Liaison offered shelter and detox services. The individual stated he wanted to return to Tucson with his parents for support while working towards sobriety. The Liaison contacted CBI and was able to coordinate transportation to SVdP to assist with diversion for a bus ticket to Tucson. Because SVdP only does these services on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the CBI Navigator was not able to get the individual diversion that day. However, the Liaison was able to coordinate temporary shelter until diversion could be completed.
Success Story
Homeless Liaisons met a 34-year-old man occupying a tent alongside a railroad track at 7th Avenue and Jackson Street. The Liaisons educated him about the SOS and asked if he was interested in help. The individual became enthused about entering the program. Liaisons transported him to the SOS and showed him around the property to ensure he felt comfortable onsite. After, he agreed to receive the assistance offered.
Success Story
A couple recently became homeless and approached a City of Phoenix heat respite center for assistance. The woman is deaf and did not feel safe staying in a congregate shelter without her spouse, so they were unwilling to go to such a shelter. Homeless Liaisons placed the couple at a hotel shelter, where they can stay together and work on finding an apartment since both have an income.
Success Story
A mother and 17-year-old son visited a City heat respite center seeking shelter. The mother was seeking an employment opportunity that ended up falling through. The Homeless Liaison was able to secure funds through the county to place the family into a hotel until a solution could be found. The Liaison then secured placement for the family at a family shelter. Additionally, the mother started her new job.
Success Story
An older gentleman visited a City heat respite center stating he was from California and got turned around on an intercity bus service. A Homeless Liaison called and confirmed that he was allowed to return. He was temporarily placed at the SOS in an X-wing and will be returning home via bus to California.
Upcoming Shelter Projects
Attachment D represents a summary of new shelter beds created with City of Phoenix investments including the 1,074 indoor shelter beds created in 2022 and 2023 to date, and the additional 790 indoor shelter beds and 125 affordable housing units that are in process and expected to be completed during 2024-25.
Existing Shelter Project Outcomes
Phoenix invested in four major projects in 2022 to create and provide 592 new indoor shelter beds, and seven projects in 2023 to provide 482 new shelter beds as summarized in Attachment D. The attached table (Attachment E) represents the bed utilization at the shelters including:
- Number of unduplicated clients served at the Washington Relief Center;
- Number of unduplicated clients served at Respiro;
- Number of unduplicated clients served at Rio Fresco;
- Number of unduplicated clients served through the I-HELP Program;
- Number of unduplicated clients served at SVdP temporary lodging;
- Number of unduplicated clients served at Mercy House temporary lodging;
- Number of unduplicated clients served at A New Leaf temporary lodging;
- Number of unduplicated clients served at Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) temporary lodging;
- Number of unduplicated clients served at CBI temporary lodging; and
- Average monthly usage at the CASS Single Adult Shelter.
Below are success stories submitted in the last month by funded partners.
Success Story
A female client with five children found herself experiencing homelessness. While her children stayed with their father's family, the female client could not stay there. She recognized that the shelter, United Methodist Outreach (UMOM) Halle, would provide crucial support in securing stable housing and employment. Despite entering the shelter unemployed, she found a job at a grocery store just one day later. With assistance from UMOM and her housing voucher, she successfully transitioned out of shelter and into her own place within 15 days of entering the shelter.
Success Story
When a female client entered the UMOM family shelter, she was working part-time as a housekeeper and had never had a lease in her name, relying on others for housing. With support from the shelter, she accessed various employment resources, including job fairs and resume assistance, which helped her secure a second part-time job. Together with her case manager, she developed a budget to manage her finances effectively, enabling her to save $750 per month after expenses. During her stay in the shelter, she saved $3,000 and received move-in assistance from UMOM. She used part of her savings to repair her vehicle, allowing her to maintain both jobs. She is excited about her newfound independence and grateful for not having to depend on others for housing.
Success Story
A recent graduate of Workforce Villages found St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) on his journey towards permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Despite maintaining his sobriety for nearly a year, he faced challenges with spending all his money on sober living arrangements. Introduced to SJW's services by a relative, he was initially skeptical but eager to explore the programs offered. When he first approached SJW, he had only been employed for two weeks. The Employment Specialists at SJW provided him with essential items such as work attire, shoes, and transportation assistance to support his new job. They also helped him complete an application for Workforce Villages. With ongoing support, he secured permanent housing through the program just a month after his initial visit to SJW's offices.
Success Story
A recent graduate of the SJW Workforce Villages Program overcame significant challenges to achieve success after fleeing a toxic family environment. With minimal belongings and living in his car, he worked for a ride-share company. Seeking stability and sobriety, he moved into a friend's sober living house but struggled to save money while paying rent. Eventually, he found employment as a security officer but needed additional support to maintain his job and secure stable housing. Introduced to Workforce Villages Program, he quickly enrolled and, within two weeks, moved into temporary supportive housing. Over 90 days, he worked full-time, saved 80 percent of his income, and attended life skills courses provided by the program. With newfound stability, he pursued his passion for writing, publishing a children's book. Upon program completion, he secured his own apartment using his savings, demonstrating resilience and determination. He credits SJW for providing motivation and support on his journey to self-sufficiency, while expressing gratitude to the City of Phoenix for its partnership in assisting individuals like him.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.