Title
Homelessness Plan Update
Description
This report provides an update to the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee on the Office of Homeless Solutions programs and projects to address homelessness.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions manages and implements programs and projects to address homelessness. Through an array of contracts and initiatives, the City is working with its community partners to engage and connect individuals and families with services. Below is a summary of accomplishments and upcoming projects.
Staffing
The Office of Homeless Solutions is now a function of the City Manager's Office. It has nine new full-time positions, including an Assistant to the City Manager, two Program Coordinators, two Management Assistant IIs, three Homeless Liaisons and a Project Management Assistant. With the added positions, the Office of Homeless Solutions is now a staff of 18 and is better equipped to respond to the needs of the community.
Shelter
Below is a summary of recent capital investments which resulted in additional shelter beds that were made available earlier this year:
- Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)- Single Adult Shelter- 175 additional units;
- Human Services Campus- Respiro- 100 new shelter units; and
- Washington Relief Shelter- 200 new units.
Below is a summary of upcoming capital investments related to homeless shelters that will result in an additional 744 shelter units over the next two years:
- Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)- The Haven- 170 new shelter units;
- Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)- North Mountain Healing Center- 100 new units;
- Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)- Rio Fresco- 117 rooms;
- Salvation Army- Family Shelter- 12 new family shelter units;
- Sprung Structure and Non-Congregate Shelter Demonstration- 200 congregate beds, 25 non-congregate beds;
- St. Vincent de Paul- Ozanam Manor II- 100 new units; and
- UMOM New Day Center- Family Shelter- 20 new family shelter units.
Outreach
The City of Phoenix has historically invested heavily in outreach and engagement services, however in the last year that investment has increased with two new outreach contracts. Earlier this summer, Phoenix Rescue Mission began an ARPA-funded contract with the City of Phoenix to conduct outreach and offer support services to people experiencing homelessness in the north Phoenix/Sunnyslope area. The City of Phoenix also began a new Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) contract with CBI earlier this year to enhance outreach efforts around the Human Services Campus, where there are a large number of unsheltered individuals. This contract provides funding for outreach workers and emergency medical technicians to provide enhanced support services.
Mental Health
The City of Phoenix entered into a $9 million dollar contract with Mercy Care to connect low- and moderate-income adults, children and families who have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic to Mercy Care’s contracted network of providers delivering behavioral health services. Eligible beneficiaries may also receive ancillary services including transitional housing services. Mercy Care began rolling out the program over the summer and has developed materials that are being delivered widely throughout the city to reach its target audience.
Workforce
The City of Phoenix created a new position within the Human Services Department to bring the city’s workforce development programs directly to people experiencing homelessness. The position was filled early this calendar year and staff has been welcomed to co-locate in multiple shelters in the community. Recently, the City also entered into a $2 million dollar contract with St. Joseph the Worker for Workforce Villages Program which provides housing and support services to employed individuals experiencing homelessness to help end their homelessness without housing voucher assistance.
Housing
The City’s Housing Department has been working in tandem with the Office of Homeless Solutions to add additional affordable housing units to the City’s housing stock. As part of the Housing Phoenix Plan, in August 2022 a list of 144 parcels were set aside by City Council for affordable housing development. An additional $4 million in ARPA was allocated in June 2022 to the City’s Landlord Incentive Program for a total of $5.5 million. The City continues to prioritize affordable housing preservation, ensuring that preserved units through City programs are tracked quarterly and ARPA funds are also considered for unit preservation.
Strategic Solutions
The City of Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions will continue to work with community partners and other municipalities to make strategic improvements to our region’s homeless services system. Every person experiencing homeless has a unique situation and an individual story. The Office of Homeless Solutions will always lead with services, provide personalized services, and prioritize finding creative solutions to help end homelessness in our city.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department and Office of Homeless Solutions.