Homelessness in Arizona

Thousands of people in Arizona's huge desert region are facing homelessness, which is causing a silent crisis. In spite of these obstacles, the state is addressing homelessness by putting ideas into practice and working alongside different organizations.

Concern over homelessness in Arizona has grown as more people and families deal with the difficult realities of being homeless. The governments of Tempe and Phoenix have launched various initiatives in recent years to deal with this challenge, adopting tactics such as the Housing First concept.

The Homeless Legal Assistance Project (HLAP) at Arizona State University (ASU) and other nonprofit organizations, as well as student organizations, are essential in helping individuals in need find housing and support.

As of 2023, a report by LendingTree indicates that approximately 13,553 individuals in Arizona find themselves grappling with homelessness. These figures position Arizona as the eighth state with the most substantial homeless population in the United States, accounting for more than 2% of the national unhoused demographic.

The reasons for homelessness are numerous and varied, frequently resulting from a combination of elements like financial hardship, inadequate housing, psychological disorders, drug misuse, and intimate partner abuse. Families with children, veterans, and those with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by these issues.

“In Tempe, two of our most prevalent needs are mental health and substance abuse. We work to connect people to providers to stabilize their mental health and/or begin their journey in recovery while still working with them to resolve their homelessness,” Susie Steckner, Public Information Officer for the City of Tempe said.

She also mentioned that there has been a growing number of individuals and families experiencing first-time homelessness due to rising rental costs and the housing market, as well as many evictions once the eviction moratorium was lifted.

Tempe and Phoenix, realizing the seriousness of the situation, have launched a variety of comprehensive programs to combat homelessness. Tempe's "Housing First" strategy emphasizes that housing is a basic human right and places a priority on getting individuals into homes before addressing their unique needs and obstacles.

In the meanwhile, Phoenix's "Pathway to Housing" effort seeks to reduce homelessness by 25% by 2027 by implementing three crucial strategies: fostering diverse relationships, expanding safe housing options, and cooperating on a regional level.

This strategy was created by community partners, local and tribal governments, and to improve the regional framework for tackling homelessness. It acts as a springboard for continual assessments and constant development to find fresh approaches to lessen homelessness.

“One strategy is our 24/7 outreach by the HOPE team to connect people in need with
shelter, housing, and resources. Another strategy is our CARE & HOPE Line, which gives people direct access to the city to get help for themselves or someone in crisis. A third strategy is owning our own non-congregate shelter so we have a safe and secure place for people who are ready to say yes to shelter and resources,” Steckner said.

Steckner said that the city possesses a non-congregate shelter, allowing them to accommodate individuals directly from the streets. Once residents are safely sheltered, the city can assist them in addressing a myriad of needs, including substance abuse treatment, connecting with medical care providers, obtaining vital documents for securing permanent housing, job training, and more. This initiative has sheltered 765 people since April 2022.

One other organization that is helping the homeless community is the Homeless Legal Assistance Project (HLAP), a student-led organization at Arizona State University (ASU). HLAP is a student-run organization that provides free legal assistance to homeless individuals in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

“Our goal would be like to fill like the legal services gap because there's like a lot of legal needs for people experiencing homelessness. And there's not like a lot of legal representation for them. So we try to offer advice and consultation,” Lyth Shahin, the Shelter Director at HLAP said.

For homeless people who might not be able to afford an attorney on their own, HLAP is a great resource. Services offered by the organization include family law representation, assistance in obtaining public benefits, and eviction defense.

As Arizona grapples with the complex issue of homelessness, the synergy between government programs, nonprofit organizations, and student-led initiatives showcases a united front against this pressing challenge. While the statistics may paint a stark picture, the concerted efforts and innovative strategies being employed suggest a pathway toward a more compassionate and supportive future for those without a place to call home.