Phoenix City Council Unanimously Approves New Plan to Address Rising Homelessness
– The Phoenix City Council has unanimously approved a new strategic plan aimed at reducing homelessness and improving neighborhood safety, as the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city continues to rise.
The plan, approved on , prioritizes housing as a central solution, with Office of Homeless Solutions Director Rachel Milne repeatedly stating during the council meeting, “Housing is going to end homelessness.” The initiative builds upon previous efforts, including the creation of the city’s first Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan in and the launch of the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) in .
The new plan represents a shift in the city’s approach, moving from simply funding homeless services to directly delivering them, a change intended to increase accountability and produce tangible results. In the past three years, Phoenix and its partners have added over 1,200 shelter beds and created 300 spaces at the Safe Outdoor Space, significantly expanding capacity for those experiencing homelessness.
Mayor Kate Gallego described the plan as a reflection of the progress made and a roadmap for future action. “By working closely with our partners and the community, we’re building a more responsive system that meets people where they are and helps them move forward, while working to resolve neighborhood concerns,” she said.
Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington emphasized the urgency of the situation. “This plan is a bold step forward, but the fight against homelessness is far from over. We are at a critical state, and we cannot afford to lose momentum. Our commitment must remain unwavering because lives depend on it,” she stated.
The plan identifies challenges within the current shelter system, noting that individuals are often stuck in shelters for extended periods before securing permanent housing. Rachel Milne explained to the City Council that streamlining shelter referral services and utilizing data to identify individuals at risk of becoming homeless are key short-term goals. “If we had some of the initiatives that we call for in this plan where we could rapidly exit people who really just need a small amount of assistance, that creates more flow in our shelter and creates more availability in our shelter,” Milne said.
Longer-term goals outlined in the plan include establishing new shelter and housing options specifically designed for individuals with high needs and exploring innovative housing models. However, the plan acknowledges that securing funding for these projects will be a significant hurdle, particularly as pandemic-era federal aid, which has been a major source of funding for homelessness programs in recent years, is set to expire at the end of .
The plan aims to reduce homelessness in Phoenix by , incorporating feedback from residents and service providers to ensure a comprehensive and community-aligned approach. The focus remains on implementing long-term solutions to both prevent and reduce homelessness within the city.
