Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to Street Cleanups Around the Human Services Campus
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Elizabeth Venable at the Dec. 15, 2021 Formal City Council meeting regarding procedures for street cleanups around the Human Services Campus (Attachment A).
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
The petitioner requests the City Council to halt and restructure the weekly street cleanups around the Human Services Campus (HSC).
Staff Response
The City of Phoenix seeks to maintain a safe and healthy environment for those that are unsheltered around the HSC and for the surrounding neighborhood and businesses. To maintain the public health and safety of the area, the City of Phoenix conducts street, sidewalk and right-of-way cleanups weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Cleanups begin at 8 a.m. with initial notifications starting at 6 a.m. and are performed by City work crews and contractors to remove debris from encampments in the public right-of-way. The Police Department is also used to provide safety, security and traffic control to the areas being cleaned by the work crews. A homeless services provider is on site to assist with any social service needs.
Understanding the impacts these cleanups have on individuals experiencing homelessness, the neighborhood, and local businesses, the City has been actively meeting with a small work group of HSC staff, service providers, and neighborhood leaders to discuss ways to improve the cleanups around the HSC. The work group has discussed topics such as increased information sharing and communication, day of cleaning notifications, increased lighting, waste receptacles, increased outreach and engagement, and ways to decrease disruption for all involved.
As a result of the discussions, the City is piloting the following changes:
- Day of cleanup notifications moved from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. prior to the 8 a.m. cleanings;
- Homeless Outreach teams conducting notifications to the unsheltered, rather than the Police Department;
- Increased solid waste receptacles around the HSC and plans to review the feasibility of placing additional, smaller bins in the area;
- 300 solid waste bins provided to the HSC for the Safe Storage Program at the HSC;
- The opening of 24 hours restrooms, seven days a week at the Brian Garcia Welcome Center; and
- Case conferences and coordination of services.
HSC began the Safe Storage Program in December 2021 which provides an opportunity for people experiencing homelessness to store their belongings. The program allows access to items being stored twice daily and provides a secure alternative for people to keep their items safe. In addition, Andre House provides access to storage lockers for property.
The City is continuing to meet with the work group to improve the street cleanups and decrease the impact they have on the individuals experiencing homelessness and the surrounding neighborhood. In addition, City and Campus staff are beginning case conferencing to improve services to people who are unsheltered and in encampments in the area. This effort will include outreach teams and providers and will coordinate moving people from homelessness to services and housing. Staff will continue to explore ways to decrease disruption to those experiencing homelessness, increase public restrooms and waste receptacles in the area, and increase outreach and engagement services.
Location
Madison Street from 9th to 12th avenues and Jackson Street from 9th to 11th avenues.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.