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 in November 2023. 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
All remaining site renovations were completed June 2024, and it has met full capacity. The dayroom was opened to SOS residents in April 2024. The dayroom is an indoor room that is utilized as a common area for meals, heat relief and other activities. Since the opening of the dayroom, many supplemental services have been offered to guests, such as Valley Dogs Rescue that provides preventive care and vaccinations for pets and Street Medicine Phoenix for basic medical and first aid.
Between November 1, 2023, and August 16, 2024, the SOS has served a total of 953 individuals, of which 228 are still staying at the site. There have been 725 individuals that have exited the SOS, of which 33 percent have had a positive exit which may include moving to an emergency shelter, reuniting with family, and 17 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.
Additionally, OHS has partnered with ARIZONA@WORK, SVdP and St. Joseph the Worker to provide workforce development services. These workforce providers meet with individuals seeking employment opportunities and provide assistance with resume building, job readiness clothing and referrals to employers with vacant positions. To date, 27 referrals have been made, and 15 individuals have obtained employment.
Affordable Housing for Seniors Project Update (Former Super 8)
The former Super 8 hotel, located at the I-17 and Northern, is being transformed into 126 units of permanent housing for seniors. The project is currently being rezoned and, pending October City Council approval, will break ground in 2025 with units coming online in 2026.
The project is located south of Project Haven, an emergency shelter for seniors owned by Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), and the City of Phoenix’s Innovation 27 workforce and education center. Prospective residents will be low-income seniors (aged 55 plus) who make $21,600 or less annually.
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 Avenue. While the permanent site continues to be constructed, a temporary structure has been installed at the location to provide 100 beds in an indoor shelter to individuals in the meantime. The temporary structure began accepting its first guests on July 17. An additional 40 non-congregate shelter units will be available via XWings on site in the month of August. Additionally, the Community Advisory Committee for the site comprised of nearby residents, local businesses, and other stakeholders, held its first meeting on June 18 and received a private tour of the temporary site on July 18.
Community Court
Community Court has served 180 participants this year from January through July. Of these, 18 participants have graduated from the program with achievements including obtaining vital documents, entering shelter, addressing their physical and mental health, and gaining employment. The Prosecutor’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, OHS and CBI continue to collaborate and create individualized plans to assist individuals in addressing their homelessness and help participants achieve their goals.
Office of Homeless Solutions Staff Outreach Success Stories
Success Story
A Homeless Liaison engaged with a male and a female individual at a park. The female reported being homeless for the past two and a half years and struggles to find shelter resources due to having a small dog. The male reported being homeless for a few years and has not always been willing to go into shelter. The Liaison described the SOS as an option, and they both agreed to go. After securing placement for both individuals, the Liaison coordinated with CBI for transport.
Success Story
A client engaged in Phoenix Community Court in February and began working with his case manager to see how to best address his needs. The client already had all of his documents but worked with his case manager to get food stamps and to be placed into shelter. He was highly motivated to work and find a suitable apartment. Within a month of entering the program, he started a full-time job and secured his own apartment while communicating with his case manager about his successes. The client successfully graduated from the program a few months later, and his case was dismissed without prejudice.
Success Story
Homeless Liaisons engaged a 24-year-old male along the west side of University Park who reported being homeless for approximately seven years. He wanted to focus on sobriety by first entering shelter. While shelter placement has been hard to come by, Liaisons maintained communication with him for several weeks so when a bed did become available, he could be placed. Liaisons were able to secure a spot for him at the SOS and assisted with transporting him and his belongings to the program.
Success Story
Homeless Liaisons engaged three individuals in a park who initially were hesitant to accept any services. Upon further engagement, Liaisons were able to build rapport which led them to accept placement at the SOS. One couple had been on and off the streets for the past four years. The main provider lost his job, and as a result, he and his partner ended up on the streets. He obtained part time employment and was struggling to balance being unsheltered. The third individual was unhoused for the past three years after a falling out with family resulting into falling into homelessness. Liaisons transported all three individuals along with their belongings.
Success Story
Homeless Liaisons engaged a 69-year-old female at University Park who reported staying at this location off and on for the past year. She has been experiencing homelessness for approximately 10 years due to drug use. She stated she has been clean and sober and is working to get her life back on track so she can have a meaningful relationship with her grandchildren. When offered placement for her and her dog at the SOS, she accepted without hesitation.
Shelter Projects
Attachment A represents a summary of new shelter beds created with City of Phoenix investments, including the 592 indoor shelter beds created in 2022 and 482 temporary shelter beds in 2023. It also includes 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 temporary shelter beds as summarized in Attachment A. Attachment B 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 Mercy House temporary lodging.
- Number of unduplicated clients served at A New Leaf temporary lodging.
- Number of unduplicated clients served at Phoenix Navigation Center.
- Average monthly usage at the CASS Single Adult Shelter.
Below are success stories submitted in the last month by funded partners.
Success Story
A 44-year-old male faced homelessness twice in the past three years, with his latest episode lasting eight months due to his rented room being sold. With determination, he secured a job and actively engages in budgeting and financial education sessions with a Lutheran Social Services case manager. His efforts are paying off as he is on track to secure permanent housing, marking a significant turnaround in his circumstances.
Success Story
A client was employed part-time as a housekeeper and had always relied on others for housing. With support from the United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) Halle shelter, including job fairs and resume assistance, she secured a second part-time job, doubling her income. Working with her case manager, she created a budget, projecting savings of $750 monthly after expenses. During her shelter stay, she saved $3,000, and received move-in assistance from UMOM. Using part of her savings for vehicle repairs, she's now able to maintain both jobs. She expresses excitement for her newfound independence, grateful that she no longer depends on others for housing.
Success Story
Found living in unsuitable conditions, a client had experienced homelessness on and off since 2020, alongside their significant other whom they cared for. Though initially guarded, the client opened up during motivational interviewing sessions with the CBI team, who shared relatable life experiences. While expressing a desire for independence, the client declined shelter options. Instead, the team spent a day searching for an affordable apartment meeting the client’s needs and wants. With the team's support, the client successfully moved into housing and remains off the streets.
Success Story
After enduring the sudden loss of a loved one and struggling with housing insecurity, this individual found herself at a sober living facility, where financial constraints and strict rules left her feeling trapped and miserable. A turning point came when she discovered St. Joseph the Worker's Workforce Villages Program through a friend. Accepted into the program within a week, she gained the opportunity to work full-time while receiving support to manage her finances and search for permanent housing. Within just three months, she secured a studio apartment near her job, establishing a stable foundation for self-sufficiency. By the end of the program, she had saved over $4,500. Reflecting on her journey, she credits St. Joseph the Worker for transforming her life positively and looks forward to her future with newfound hope and stability.
Success Story
A mother and her child sought shelter at Chicanos Por La Causa due to homelessness stemming from unemployment. The case manager developed a tailored case plan aimed at achieving housing independence and empowering her. Support included referrals for childcare, assistance in obtaining Arizona identification, enrollment in the UMOM program, and transportation to a job fair where she applied for jobs. As she progressed, additional needs arose, prompting the case manager to assist with transportation for a drug test, acquiring a government cell phone, and arranging a fingerprint appointment. Currently, she has secured two jobs and remains dedicated to completing her remaining case plan goals.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.