Title
***ITEM REVISED (SEE ATTACHED MEMO)*** Office of Homeless Solutions Encampment Efforts and Data Update
Description
This report provides an update to the City Council on the City’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness within the area surrounding the Human Services Campus (HSC) by the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) including providing related data collected and a summary of temporary lodging and the timing of permanent shelter under development.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
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 City of Phoenix is under a court injunction to clear the area and to maintain it free of tents, structures and other items. Between May 10 and November 1, the OHS worked with internal and external partners to complete a total of 15 systematic outreach and clean-up efforts in the area surrounding the HSC which were followed up with closing those streets to camping. At the time the efforts began, there were more than 700 individuals camped in the right of way in the area from 7th Avenue to 15th Avenue, Van Buren to Harrison streets.
Outreach Effort Data
As a result of this outreach effort, staff worked with more than 700 people in the area, 590 of which accepted indoor shelter, treatment or alternative placement. OHS collected data throughout the effort related to these efforts. The following information are highlights and data points resulting from these efforts. All data was self-reported by the client and entered into the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) by OHS staff engaging with the individual being assisted. Data on the current locations of individuals who entered services was obtained as reported by subsequent service providers.
Demographic data collected shows that of those engaged on the 15 blocks when a street was closed to camping, 56 percent identified as male, 42 percent female, and 2 percent transgender. The larger majority (66 percent) were in adulthood between the ages of 25-54, while 5 percent were between 18-24 and 28 percent were over 55. Additionally, 27 percent identified as White, 43 percent as Black/African American, and 18 percent as Hispanic/Latino with the remainder indicating some other race.
Data shows that 63 percent of clients had a last known permanent address in Phoenix. Although the data point is described as permanent, it may not describe what might commonly be considered long-term. Permanent address is defined as the location where they last lived for at least 90 days. The next largest portion were from Glendale at 7 percent, Mesa at 3 percent, and 12 percent were from other cities in Arizona. Additionally, 12 percent were from out of state, and 3 percent chose not to provide an answer.
Once the City of Phoenix hands off a client to shelter or housing destination, they become a client of that destination. Staff gathered data from the respective providers on whether they are still in shelter, have ended their homelessness or have returned to homelessness. Data on the current situation of clients shows that 68 percent remain housed in shelter (59 percent), permanent housing (7 percent) or in an intermediate destination such as treatment or institution (2 percent). A total of 15 percent are known to be unsheltered. The locations/status of the remaining 17 percent of individuals are unknown.
Temporary Phase Out Plan
Phoenix invested in six temporary lodging projects in 2023 resulting in 422 new beds, most of which were used for those who were being relocated from encampments around the HSC. Between March and September 2024, the City will slowly phase out 402 of these temporary lodging beds: Central Arizona Shelter Service (60 beds), Community Bridges, Inc. (140 beds), Saint Vincent de Paul (50 beds), Mercy House (50 beds), and A New Leaf (102 beds). However, an additional 600 permanent shelter beds will be added throughout this same time period: Central Arizona Shelter Service (170 beds), Ozanam Manor II (100 beds), Community Bridges, Inc. (50 beds), and a new City of Phoenix owned and operated shelter (280 beds).
Performance Indicators
Attachment A depicts performance goals relating to Street Outreach, Singles Shelter, Family Shelter, and Rapid Rehousing approved by the Maricopa County Continuum of Care Board and provides system-wide weighted averages from Homeless Management Information System. For comparison, the City of Phoenix has provided data on Phoenix funded programs/shelters.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.