PHX Reporter

On December 12, the City of Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions announced that nearly 70% of the 590 individuals who accepted shelter placement when the City closed the area around the Human Services Campus (HSC) to camping are still in shelter, treatment or have been housed.  

The City took a compassionate and dignified approach to closing the HSC area to camping.  

• From May to early November, staff strategically focused on one block at a time, providing advanced notice and offering an indoor place to every individual they encountered, closing a total of 15 blocks to camping.  
• Through this initiative, staff offered 718 people services, and 590 accepted a place at an indoor shelter or alternative location.  
• As of the end of November, 68% are still receiving services in a shelter or treatment facility or have been housed. 

City staff and outreach partners worked closely with every individual during this effort to ensure that the shelters and resources offered to each person would fit their individual needs. When offered the right option, the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness will accept help and services. The City is committed to providing various resources and will continue working diligently to create comprehensive, permanent solutions for people experiencing homelessness in our city.

The City plans to add nearly 800 new permanent shelter beds in 2024 and 2025. Learn more about upcoming shelter projects here. 

Original source can be found here.