Title
Office of Homeless Solutions Program Report - Citywide
Description
This report is issued monthly to provide the City Council 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 all the City’s efforts to address homelessness but rather reviews key highlights from the preceding month and updates on major upcoming projects.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix is committed to working with the community, service providers, and regional partners to implement solutions that address homelessness and mitigate neighborhood impacts. The information below are highlights from OHS in the areas of shelter, outreach, procurement, and success stories.
Phoenix Navigation Center (PNC)
Phase I of the PNC opened in July 2024 with a capacity of up to 140 individuals. Phase II was completed in March 2025 with a total PNC capacity of up to 280 individuals. The completion of this shelter for people experiencing homelessness marks a significant milestone in the City's ongoing efforts. It is the tenth project the City has partnered to open or expand since 2022.
Program Update for Permanent Site
Between March 26, 2025, and December 31, 2025, the PNC has served a total of 962 individuals, of which 233 are currently staying at the site. Of the individuals that have exited the PNC, 109 are now in housing. The positive exits seen are a result of collaboration and coordination between OHS, Community Bridges Inc. (CBI), and St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP). These partners work with each individual, leveraging expertise and resources.
Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) Update
The City of Phoenix made a safe, outdoor structured campground site available in November 2023. The SOS was established to provide an alternative placement solution other than indoor shelter for those camping in the area surrounding the Key Campus (formerly the Human Services Campus). The site is operated in partnership with the Key Campus, CBI, and SVdP, offering 200 camp sites for up to 300 individuals. The SOS also includes on-site services such as heat/winter respite, case management, meals, and behavioral health services.
Program Update
Between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2025, the SOS has served a total of 2,356 individuals, of which 235 are currently staying at the site. Of those that have exited the site, 208 people are now in housing. The positive exits are a result of collaboration and coordination between OHS, CBI, and the Key Campus partners. These partners work with each individual, leveraging 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. Many supplemental services have also been offered on-site to guests. Supplemental resources include Valley Dogs Rescue, who provides preventive care and vaccinations for pets, Circle the City, and Street Medicine Phoenix, who provides basic medical and first aid.
Affordable Housing for Seniors Project Update (I-17 and Northern)
The former Super 8 hotel, located at I-17 and Northern, is currently under construction and will be transformed into 126 units of permanent affordable housing for seniors, aged 55+. Demolition and rough electrical work are underway, with five percent of the total construction effort now completed. The project is on-schedule for end of construction October 2026. It is located between 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 tenants will have low-income, making $21,600 or less annually.
Community Court
Community Court has served 733 participants from January 2024 through December 2025. Of these, 196 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, OHS, and CBI continues to 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
Homelessness Liaisons responded to a report of an individual living in a vehicle and conducted an engagement focused on support and stability. The individual expressed interest in entering shelter to begin working toward a long-term housing solution. Staff successfully secured shelter placement at Rio Fresco and the individual completed an intake.
Success Story
Homelessness Liaisons engaged with an unsheltered individual seeking long-term stability. Outreach and community partners coordinated care, successfully securing acceptance into a detox treatment program and establishing a clear plan for continued recovery. Transportation and intake were completed and the individual committed to an extended treatment duration to support lasting success. This collaboration demonstrated compassionate engagement and coordinated resources.
Success Story
Homelessness Liaisons received a request from an unsheltered individual seeking immediate services. Homelessness Liaisons secured a bed at the PNC and provided transportation. The individual entered shelter and reconnected with case management, benefits enrollment, and employment services. The placement initiated a structured path toward stability.
Success Story
Homelessness Liaisons coordinated with Neighborhood Services Department and Phoenix Police Department to conduct joint outreach at an encampment and engaged two individuals requesting shelter and recovery support. Staff secured shelter placement and provided transportation to Rio Fresco. Both individuals completed intake and expressed readiness to pursue sobriety, documentation recovery, and employment. The placement connected them to ongoing services.
Shelter Projects
Attachment A represents a summary of new shelter beds created with City of Phoenix investments. This includes the 592 indoor shelter beds created in 2022, 482 temporary shelter beds in 2023, 370 additional indoor shelter beds in 2024, and 350 additional beds that opened in 2025.
PHX C.A.R.E.S. Cases
Phoenix C.A.R.E.S. cases in calendar year 2025 have been analyzed. See Attachment B for a report of PHX C.A.R.E.S. cases that were created and addressed.
Below are success stories submitted in the last month by funded partners.
Success Story
Staff at SOS were able to successfully transition a sheltered homeless individual into a unit in an apartment complex. Through coordinated support with CBI, move-in costs were fully covered, and the individual was able to save funds to purchase essential furniture and household items.
Success Story
A homeless individual enrolled in a program within Southwest Behavioral Health and engaged consistently with the team to plan next steps toward stability. With coordinated support from the Department of Economic Security, the individual secured essential benefits, obtained personal documents and established a stable living arrangement. The individual demonstrated strong progress, readiness for independence, and clear momentum toward long-term goals.
Success Story
An individual entered United Methodist Outreach Ministries' (UMOM’s) New Day Centers Family Shelter and transitioned from short-term placement to long-term services while facing challenges with task management and childcare access. With support from UMOM staff, the individual developed effective prioritization skills and completed required housing steps. The individual pursued self-resolution, applied for affordable housing, and was approved for a permanent unit. UMOM also connected the household to employment resources, healthcare, and community support to promote long-term stability.
Success Story
An individual engaged with a CBI outreach team and requested detox services. Staff assisted with enrollment and transportation to a hospital for detox and psychiatric care. The individual successfully entered treatment the same day. This intervention created a direct pathway toward recovery and stabilization.
Success Story
An individual experiencing severe medical and cognitive instability entered the CASS single adult shelter without access to care or support systems. CASS staff coordinated immediate medical assessment and partnered with a community agency to complete an Arizona long term care system application. Approval was secured, and the individual transitioned to a senior living facility equipped to provide comprehensive care. The placement resulted in sustained safety, medical support, and improved quality of life.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.