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
Between November 1, 2023, and March 3, 2025, the SOS has served a total of 1,485 individuals, of which 243 are still staying at the site. There have been 1,242 individuals that have exited the SOS, of which 31 percent have had a positive exit which may include moving to an emergency shelter, reuniting with family, and 46 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, 147 referrals have been made and 31 individuals have obtained employment. Many supplemental services have also been offered on-site to guests such as Valley Dogs Rescue, who provides preventive care and vaccinations for pets, and Street Medicine Phoenix, who provide basic medical and first aid.
Community Court
Community Court has served 361 participants from January 2024 through January 2025. Of these, 48 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 in addressing their homelessness and help participants achieve their goals.
Community Court Success Story
In May 2024, we were introduced to a client who was staying at the Safe Outdoor Space who also had cases at Phoenix Municipal Court. Upon entering Community Court, her Community Court team coordinated with the team from the Safe Outdoor Space and continued working on getting her vital documents and addressing her medical needs. The team also discovered she had outstanding fines with other courts and connected her to the Maricopa Regional Homeless Court to address those fines. Not only did she graduate from Community Court, but she graduated from Regional Homeless Court and was able to address all of her fines. She is now working on permanent housing with her significant other.
Office of Homeless Solutions Staff Outreach Success Stories
Success Story
A Homeless Liaison met with an 85-year-old male who was sleeping in his vehicle in an alley. The Liaison was informed of him after volunteers of the Point In Time Count engaged him. The Liaison learned that the individual had been on the streets for the past nine years. He exhibited some cognitive impairments and had limited access to food. He did not have any family or friend support in the city. He accepted receiving help at the Safe Outdoor Space and the Liaison transported him to the program.
Success Story
A Homeless Liaison met with a 53-year-old male who has been living on the streets since 2016 and has been in and out of homelessness in general since he was 14 years old. He admitted to substance use and had declined treatment, services and shelter during his engagements with outreach providers. After living consistently on the streets and declining shelter/services over the last nine years, he accepted shelter and is willing to utilize the support and services offered through shelter. He completed his intake for the Safe Outdoor Space and has been in shelter now after a lifetime of unstable living conditions and situations.
Success Story
A 37-year-old female joined Phoenix Community Court to address an active warrant, which her case manager helped resolve. She had been staying at a Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) shelter since February and started her recovery in January by enrolling in classes, graduating in June. Motivated to improve her life, she obtained all necessary identification documents and began searching for employment. After attending job fairs, applying, and interviewing, she secured a job as a housekeeper at PHX AVE luxury apartments in August, where she remains employed and enjoys her work. The client has been working to regain custody of her children through Department of Child Safety (DCS) court and has maintained sobriety. She was also connected to City Place, a CBI program that will provide housing to her and her children. The client expressed deep gratitude to CBI, stating the program saved her life, and she will never forget the support she received.
Success Story
A family of six was referred to a Homeless Liaison by PHX C.A.R.E.S. The family lived at an apartment complex but experienced unfortunate circumstances due to unsafe living conditions. They were staying on the streets near 40th Street and McDowell Road, at which time the Homeless Liaisons and the Police Department assisted with transporting them to the Sunnyslope Family Services Center (SSFSC). During the time at the SSFSC, the family was able to enroll their younger children into the Head Start program and set up McKinney-Vento for transportation services for their oldest child. Due to shelter availability being limited, Maricopa County assisted with placing the family into the Extended Suites. After a few days, the family of six was transported to the UMOM First Responders program. During their time at UMOM, the Liaison assisted the family with obtaining their vital documents, health insurance, food assistance, and employment. After working side-by-side diligently with this family, they were able to obtain a sustainable income and moved into a new apartment.
Success Story
A family of four was referred to OHS by PHX C.A.R.E.S. They were living with family but could only stay for a limited time, which led to their unfortunate circumstances. They had been staying on the streets since November 2024 but were placed into a hotel for 3 nights by an outreach organization. OHS was able to secure beds for the family at UMOM in the First Responders Program. During their time at UMOM, the Liaison assisted the family with obtaining their vital documents, health insurance, food assistance and a sustainable income. They were also able to enroll their children into the Head Start Program and McKinney-Vento for school enrollment and transportation. After diligently searching for an apartment, the family was able to move into their apartment in January 2025.
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, and the additional 370 indoor shelter beds in 2024 and 380 additional beds that are in process and expected to be completed during 2025. Of these, 170 shelter beds are now available and 210 beds are under construction. All but 60 of the temporary shelter beds created in 2023 have closed.
Below are success stories submitted in the last month by funded partners.
Success Story
A 61-year-old female faced homelessness for the first time in December 2023 after losing her mobile home due to rising property rates and unpaid lot fees. She had been battling multiple chronic health conditions. Despite these challenges, she was determined to rebuild her life. Upon entering the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) shelter, she received support from a case manager who helped her navigate housing options and connected her to medical care at Circle the City. Though she encountered setbacks in securing housing due to her emotional support dog’s behavior, she and her case manager persisted. Eventually, she was offered a spot in a shared living home that she could afford with her Social Security income and SNAP benefits. She expressed immense gratitude for the help she received. Her new living situation provides her with stability, care, and a chance to manage her health.
Success Story
At 67, a client faced personal challenges, a disconnect from his goals, and struggled with housing instability while working full-time. He enrolled in the Community Bridges Inc (CBI) Phoenix Rapid Rehousing (PHXRRH) program on October 2024, which offered housing assistance, career coaching, and social support. This combination helped him secure stable housing, moving into a safe and affordable space on December 2024. Since then, his life has improved dramatically. His career has prospered, earning commendations for his work ethic, and he recently got engaged, marking a new chapter in his personal life. The program helped him rediscover his passion, build stronger relationships, and embrace new opportunities. The client is now living independently, thriving at work, and excited about his future.
Success Story
A client was referred to North Mountain Healing Center (NMHC) by the Community Bridges Inc (CBI) outreach team in September 2024, after experiencing homelessness since January 2013 due to an unsafe living situation. The client faced multiple housing barriers, including the inability to find affordable housing, criminal history, substance use, and being unable to work due to stage four cancer. As a Veteran, the client was connected to Veterans Services for rapid re-housing. Despite frequent hospitalization, NMHC staff continued to support the client, helping with medical appointments and obtaining necessary documents. In December 2024, the client successfully moved into their own apartment.
Success Story
A 30-year-old male entered the Safe Outdoor Space in December 2024. He was connected to case management services and a primary care provider. During service sessions, the client shared that he had a grandmother in Kentucky and wanted to return but lacked the funds. CBI used diversion funding to purchase a Greyhound bus ticket, and the client was transported to his family. We confirmed his safe arrival.
Success Story
The Keys to Change program successfully helped a long-term participant transition from the Safe Outdoor Space into a subsidized unit through rapid rehousing. The program's staff, along with CBI, assisted the participant in obtaining essential documents, which were key to their housing eligibility. The participant was also able to purchase their own furniture, and the Keys to Change operations team coordinated the pickup and delivery to their new home. Thanks to this teamwork, the participant now has a strong foundation to start a new chapter in their life.
Success Story
After being released from jail in September 2024 with nowhere to go, a client sought help at the Key Campus and was placed in the Phoenix Navigation Center (PNC). Determined to find work, he woke up early everyday to search for a job, though he initially had no success. A few weeks later, a CBI navigator introduced him to the Saint Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Workforce Opportunities program, where he met a workforce case manager. Together, they enhanced his resume and focused on construction jobs. He applied for a crane operator position, prepared for the interview, and was offered the job. By November, he began working and with the help of staff, created a savings plan and worked with the CBI housing team. In December, he moved into his own apartment.
Success Story
The Keys to Change program successfully helped a long-term participant transition from the Safe Outdoor Space into a subsidized unit through rapid rehousing. The program's staff, along with CBI, assisted the participant in obtaining essential documents, which were key to their housing eligibility. The participant was also able to purchase their own furniture, and the Keys to Change operations team coordinated the pickup and delivery to their new home. Thanks to this teamwork, the participant now has a strong foundation to start a new chapter in their life.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.