Attachment A - DRAFT 2026 Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan.pdf

A
 Phoenix’s Strategic Plan 
to Address Homelessness
ATTACHMENT A
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B
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Table of Contents
Message from the Mayor
Background
City Accomplishments
Impact on Data Trends
Vision and Goals
Plan Development Process
5 Key Focus Areas
Overview of Key Strategies
	
Prevention
	
Neighborhood Safety
	
Coordination
	
Housing
	
System Accountability
Using System Modeling to Improve 
Homelessness Planning 
Call for Sustainable Funding
Implementation Timeline for the Initiatives
Plan Refresh Timeline
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
3
4
4
8
9
9
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
23
24
26
27
28
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Message from the Mayor
Dear Neighbors,
Everyone in Phoenix deserves to live with dignity and stability. Homelessness and housing 
insecurity are urgent challenges affecting families and communities across the country, and 
Phoenix is no exception. Since taking office, I’ve made it a top priority to expand housing 
options and strategically confront homelessness. This crisis cannot wait. That’s why the City of 
Phoenix is committed to creating and investing in long-term solutions that serve all residents.
We’ve fundamentally changed how Phoenix addresses homelessness. In 2022, with strong 
support from the City Council, we established the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) to lead 
our efforts. Now, instead of simply funding services, the City delivers them directly. This shift 
has increased accountability and produced real results.
In just three years, OHS has completed ten major projects, adding more than 1,200 new 
shelter beds and 300 safe outdoor spaces. These investments reflect our commitment 
to building a system that meets people where they are and helps them move forward.
Over the past ten months, OHS, with support from Bloomberg Associates, conducted 
a comprehensive assessment of our current landscape, identified gaps and opportunities, 
and engaged the community in shaping a bold new plan to prevent and end homelessness. 
I’m proud to share this updated plan with you and look forward to working together to 
create lasting change.
Sincerely,
Mayor Kate Gallego
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Shelter Expansion
To meet urgent shelter needs and 
connect more people with stability, 
the City invested heavily in increasing 
bed capacity:
• Over 1,800 temporary and permanent 
shelter beds and temporary housing 
units were added between 2022 
and 2025.
• The Washington Respite and Phoenix 
Navigation Centers opened as a City-
owned facilities offering emergency 
shelter and wraparound services for 
up to 480 people.
• Additional shelters, such as Central 
Arizona Shelter Services Haven, 
and Rio Fresco and North Mountain 
Healing Centers, were launched to 
address diverse needs.
Encampment Engagement 
and Resolution
Phoenix prioritized a strategic approach 
to encampments, combining sustained 
outreach with shelter options:
• In the Key Campus area, 15 city 
blocks were cleared of encampments.
• Through a successful multi-tiered 
strategy that included improved 
outreach services, enhanced 
shelter capacity and coordinated 
management, the City cleared the 
area using a block by block approach.
• Outreach teams engaged 718 
individuals; 590 accepted alternative 
placements.
• The City created the Safe Outdoor 
Space as an alternative to an indoor 
shelter environment, offering on-site 
supportive services.
Enhanced Outreach
To improve engagement and 
outcomes, Phoenix restructured its 
outreach system and introduced 
new diversion strategies:
• Homelessness Liaisons were 
assigned to each City Council 
district and designated City 
departments to strengthen 
community-based outreach.
• The Phoenix Community Court was 
launched in 2024, offering legal 
alternatives that emphasize treatment 
and services.
• Cross-department collaboration 
and behavioral health partnerships 
supported more targeted 
interventions.
City Accomplishments
In 2020, Phoenix released its first homelessness plan—
Strategies to Address Homelessness. That plan was released 
in a moment in time when, due to the covid pandemic, cities 
across the country were put to the test. Efforts to support the 
most vulnerable residents were implemented but unsheltered 
homelessness continued to rise across the country. Since 
launching its strategic homelessness plan in 2020, the City of 
Phoenix has made substantial progress in expanding shelter 
and housing capacity, transforming its outreach approach, and 
improving service coordination. The creation of the Office of 
Homeless Solutions (OHS) was a pivotal change that elevated 
Phoenix’s role from funder to direct service provider and 
regional leader. These efforts laid the groundwork for a more 
effective, responsive, and accountable system. With strong 
collaboration from community partners, the City of Phoenix 
launched a range of innovative projects and strategies to 
address homelessness. Understanding this recent progress—
Background
much of which is ongoing—is essential context for the updated 
strategic plan, which is designed to build on and strengthen 
these efforts.
The initiatives implemented since the adoption of the 2020 
plan, have resulted in significant strides in advancing the 
City’s homelessness response. The work has led to meaningful 
progress, including moving more individuals from unsheltered 
homelessness into temporary accommodations and shelters. 
In any large complex city, challenges continue to emerge and 
it’s essential that a homelessness response is able to adapt. 
As the City builds on its progress, there is a growing need 
to focus on preventing homelessness before it occurs and 
increasing long-term, permanent solutions. 
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Heat Response and Supportive 
Services 
Recognizing the risk of extreme heat, 
the City expanded access to lifesaving 
services:
• In Summers 2024 and 2025, the City 
operated extended hours cooling 
centers and a 24/7 respite center to 
support heat response. A contracted 
provider offered on-site navigation, 
case management services, and 
connections to appropriate resources.
• 600+ individuals were placed into 
shelter directly from the 24/7 Burton 
Barr Library respite site alone.
• Implementation of the naloxone 
program, making free kits available 
at City-owned shelter sites to help 
prevent death from opioid overdose.
Reducing Barriers and 
Improving Access 
Phoenix implemented solutions to 
make its homelessness response 
more accessible and person-centered:
• A property storage program was 
created to support personal dignity 
and reduce barriers to shelter entry.
• Created spaces allowing for pets 
and partners, reducing barriers.
Housing Development and 
Affordability Measures
Longer-term housing solutions remain 
central to the City’s strategy:
• New projects were launched on City-
owned parcels, including Helen Drake 
Village and developments at Central 
and Columbus.
• Hotel purchase for conversion into 
126 units of affordable housing.
• Zoning reforms allowed for Accessory 
Dwelling Units (ADUs) and reduced 
parking minimums.
• A Landlord Incentive Program 
engaging 900+ landlords.
• Protections were strengthened 
by prohibiting source-of-income 
discrimination supporting access 
to affordable housing.
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Phoenix by the Numbers
The 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, conducted by the 
Maricopa Association of Governments, identified 9,734 
individuals experiencing homelessness across Maricopa 
County on the night of January 27, 2025. Of those, 5,207 
people were unsheltered.
In the City of Phoenix, 7,275 individuals were counted as 
experiencing homelessness, including 3,761 unsheltered 
individuals. This figure includes those residing in the Safe 
Outdoor Space, a structured outdoor site managed by the 
City but categorized as unsheltered under federal guidelines. 
Meanwhile, the number of sheltered individuals in Phoenix 
declined by 14%, dropping from 4,097 in 2024 to 3,514 in 
2025, due in large part to the expiration of federal funding 
that had supported more than 1,000 shelter beds across 
the region.
This increase in unsheltered homelessness follows a period of 
notable progress. In 2024, Phoenix achieved a 19% reduction 
in unsheltered homelessness and a 15% increase in shelter 
placements—the only major city in Maricopa County to show 
improvement in both metrics. These gains were the result of 
expanded outreach, the addition of high-quality shelter beds, 
and the creation of structured transitional spaces such as the 
Phoenix Navigation Center and Safe Outdoor Space.
Phoenix remains committed to both immediate response 
and long-term solutions. It maintains a strong focus on 
encampment engagement, shelter expansion and will be 
placing greater emphasis on preventing homelessness and 
strengthening and accelerating pathways from temporary 
settings into permanent housing.
Progress Amid Regional Challenges 
While homelessness has continued to rise across 
Maricopa County, Phoenix has outpaced regional 
trends in shelter access and placement. These efforts 
demonstrate a sustained commitment to expanding 
services, enhancing coordination, and ensuring long-
term pathways out of homelessness.
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P I T C O U N T DATA F O R P H O E N I X
Total individuals 
in Phoenix 
experiencing 
homelessness
Unsheltered
Sheltered
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
2022
2023
2024
2025
6038
6902
6798
7275
3096
3333
2701
3761
3569
4097
3514
2942
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Impact on Data Trends
Number of People Entering the 
Homeless System for the First Time
Percentage of People who 
Return to Homelessness
Positive Exits from Shelter
Average Length of Stay in Shelter
6,800
25%
30%
122 Days
The following data represents information from the 2024 Calendar Year and 
serves as a baseline that will be used to measure success in each activity.
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Goals
5. 
Increase 
awareness and 
effectiveness of 
available services 
(Accountability)
1.
Decrease number 
of people who 
become homeless 
(Prevention)
2.
Decrease number 
of people in 
an unsheltered 
situation or in 
shelter (Safety/
Coordination)
3.
Reduce length of 
time in shelter or 
in an unsheltered 
situation (Safety/
Coordination)
4.
Increase housing 
options and 
placements 
(Housing)
No one in Phoenix should experience homelessness, 
and no community should feel its negative effects. The 
City of Phoenix will strive to prevent homelessness when 
we can, make it brief when it happens, and keep people 
stable in housing with the supports they need.
Plan Development Process
The City of Phoenix embarked on a ten-month process to solicit feedback and 
develop initiatives that will help achieve its vision. The process kicked off with a 
brainstorming session that allowed the City to reflect on its work, get reenergized 
and chart a path forward for a plan refresh. Input from system leaders, such 
as the Strategies to Address Homelessness Task Force and the Continuum of 
Care (CoC) Lived Experience Workgroup, have been critical in shaping the final 
recommendations. The City also hosted two public meetings, developed a 
public survey, conducted close to 50 individual interviews and held numerous 
input sessions to engage the community and develop a plan that responded to 
neighborhood concerns.
Vision
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Preventing people from 
becoming homeless
Target and expand early intervention 
efforts and housing-focused reentry 
services for those exiting the justice 
or behavioral health systems.
Safety for the neighborhood 
and for people experiencing 
homelessness
Develop a coordinated, humane 
enforcement approach that supports 
outreach and shelter access while 
clarifying rules around public space 
use. Strengthen the shelter system 
through investments in staffing, 
streamlined housing placements, 
and a weather relief facility to 
improve safety, responsiveness, and 
positive outcomes.
5 Key 
Focus 
Areas
 Prevention
 Neighborhood Safety 
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Better coordination with other 
systems such as behavioral health 
services and employment
Expand access to integrated 
behavioral health and medical 
care for unsheltered individuals 
by embedding specialists in 
outreach and shelter teams, and 
coordinating funding streams. 
Strengthen system accountability 
and invest in provider capacity, 
while connecting shelter residents 
to employment through job training 
and dedicated support services.
Dedicated housing for 
individuals and families 
experiencing homelessness
Use systemwide modeling to guide 
allocation of emergency shelter to 
permanent housing by assessing 
capacity, needs and prioritizing 
supportive housing, rental assistance, 
and affordable development. Secure 
sustainable funding, streamline 
housing placements, and expand 
options like supportive housing, 
rental subsidies, and innovative 
housing models to reduce time 
spent on the street and in shelter.
Improved accountability and 
transparency for City services 
and providers
Enhance coordination, transparency, 
and accountability across the City 
managed homelessness response 
system by expanding real-time 
reporting tools, strengthening 
cross-department efforts, and 
building workforce capacity. Improve 
community engagement through 
regular updates, education, and 
partnerships, while using data-driven 
evaluation and diversified funding to 
guide and sustain impact.
 System Accountability
 Coordination
 Housing
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Overview of Key Strategies
Prevention
Preventing homelessness has 
many benefits for individuals and 
communities by avoiding the trauma 
of homelessness. There are numerous 
structural issues that continue to plague 
big cities like Phoenix, for example the 
dramatic increase in housing prices 
coupled with a lack of housing supply 
and inflation. Despite these challenges, 
many people find a way to make it 
work. For those living on the edge, small 
investments in prevention can have big 
returns. Through targeted investments 
that are easy to distribute quickly in 
the time of crisis, the City can support 
people who need it the most and 
prevent homelessness before 
it happens. 
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : 
Utilize Data to Identify Individuals Most at Risk of 
Becoming Homeless
The City will partner with agencies and use predictive analytics 
and administrative data to identify the most vulnerable 
households. This data will be used to better target funding 
and social support to align with City priorities and provide 
assistance before a housing crisis.
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : 
Access to Flexible Prevention Funding
Flexible prevention for vulnerable households in the 
community to prevent homelessness from occurring and 
keep people housed during a crisis.
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : 
Help People Reunite with Family and Friends
The City will work to reconnect people with family or 
friends expanding diversion and rapid exit strategies to 
help people who may be able to reunite family and friends 
when appropriate.
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : 
Help Individuals Who are Justice Involved Find Work 
and Housing
Discharge planning and connecting services to people 
who are being released from the justice system.
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I M PA C T O U TC O M E S
A D D I T I O N A L A R E A S
• Increase Funding Available for Prevention, Diversion, 
and Flexible Funds
• Reduce Number of People Who Experience First Time 
Homelessness
• Increase Number of People Diverted from the Homelessness 
Response System
System Accountability
Neighborhood Safety 
Coordination
Housing
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Phoenix is committed to implementing 
a comprehensive approach to 
homelessness. In Phoenix, that means 
respecting individuals’ need for dignity 
and support while also empowering 
personal responsibility. Maintaining 
safety for all residents is a critical part 
of the homelessness response. The 
City is committed to maintaining the 
safety and wellbeing of all members 
of the community.
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : 
Develop a Streamlined Process for Enforcement that 
Balances Services with Enforcing Existing Laws
Community safety is important for all people living in the 
City of Phoenix. All community members deserve to feel safe 
in their neighborhood and to be able to use public facilities 
for their intended purpose.
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : 
Real Time Referral Tool for Outreach Workers
Create a dashboard of shelter bed availability for outreach 
workers and service providers to reduce shelter referral time 
and develop simpler protocols for admitting clients.
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : 
Improve Shelter Performance and Invest in Quality
Improve the quality and performance of City-funded shelters 
by creating more opportunities for people to exit to housing, 
maintaining low barriers to entry and having the capacity 
to serve high needs populations. The City will continue to 
invest in staffing and supportive services to support improved 
outcomes from shelter.
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : 
Weather Relief Planning
Invest in weather relief solutions such as a facility equipped 
with air conditioning, water, and trained staff to handle 
extreme temperatures. 
Neighborhood 
Safety
Overview of Key Strategies
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I M PA C T O U TC O M E S
A D D I T I O N A L A R E A S
• Increase Number of Outreach Contacts
• Increase Number of People Referred to Shelter from Outreach
• Increase Number of People Served at Heat Relief Sites and 
Connected to Services
Coordination
System Accountability
Neighborhood Safety 
Coordination
Housing
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Safe and affordable housing is a 
cornerstone of addressing homelessness. 
Lack of affordable housing is a key driver 
in the rise of homelessness. While the 
City has been successful in accomplishing 
many of its housing goals, there is still 
more to be done. Evidence shows that 
different housing models are successful 
with different populations. The City will 
continue to advocate for sustainable 
funding for housing while exploring new 
models and innovative ways of supporting 
people experiencing homelessness to find 
housing stability.
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : 
Better Access and Connection to Behavioral Health 
Supports
Strengthen access to substance use and mental health 
treatment within the homelessness response team. Connect 
to existing resources or create services in homelessness 
response system. Seek to improve accountability measures 
across the systems of care.
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : 
Shelter and Housing for High Need Individuals
Ensuring the right blend of services for individuals who 
have high-needs and have been experiencing long-term 
homelessness. Creating shelter and housing interventions that 
can address complex conditions and reduce cycling through 
emergency and homelessness response systems.
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : 
Increase Capacity and Quality of Services Provided
Implement strategies and programming to provide additional 
support for providers and maintain high quality services across 
City-funded projects.
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : 
Better Connections to Job Training and Employment 
Opportunities for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Expand access to supportive and employment opportunities 
in shelter and housing programs.
Housing
Making sure residents are connected 
to all the services Phoenix offers is 
a critical part of the City’s strategy. 
The City will seek partnerships and 
coordination of care to expand 
access to behavioral health and 
medical care for unsheltered 
individuals. By strengthening system 
accountability and investing in 
provider capacity, the City can better 
connect individuals in shelter to 
employment through job training 
and dedicated support services. 
With dedicated staff and a focus on 
coordination, the City can effectively 
support the community.
Coordination 
Overview of Key Strategies
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I M PA C T O U TC O M E S
A D D I T I O N A L A R E A S
• Reduce Length of Stay in Shelter 
• Increase Number of People Connected to Employment 
• Increase Number of People Connected to Behavioral Health 
and Substance Use Treatment
Coordination
System Accountability
Neighborhood Safety 
Coordination
Prevention
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Safe and affordable housing is a 
cornerstone of addressing homelessness. 
Lack of affordable housing is a key driver 
in the rise of homelessness. While the 
City has been successful in accomplishing 
many of its housing goals, there is still 
more to be done. Evidence shows that 
different housing models are successful 
with different populations. The City will 
continue to advocate for sustainable 
funding for housing while exploring new 
models and innovative ways of supporting 
people experiencing homelessness to find 
housing stability.
Housing
Safe and affordable housing 
is a cornerstone of addressing 
homelessness. Lack of affordable 
housing is a key driver in the rise 
of homelessness. The City has 
accomplished many of its housing 
goals, however there is still more to 
be done. Evidence shows that different 
housing models are successful with 
different populations. The City will 
continue to advocate for sustainable 
funding for housing while exploring 
new models and innovative ways 
of supporting people experiencing 
homelessness to find housing stability.
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : 
Conduct a Systemwide Modeling of Inflow and Outflow 
to Determine Shelter and Housing Capacity Need
Use system and cost modeling to help identify the needs 
of individuals using services to ensure the right blend of 
shelter and housing investments. Balance investment in 
shelter and services, and prioritize permanent housing.
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : 
Stable Funding for Comprehensive Supportive Services 
for People Exiting Homelessness to Housing
Stabilize funding for comprehensive support services 
that allow continued successful programming and ensure 
people do not return to homelessness. Ongoing funding 
is needed to continue successful programming and close 
service gaps.
Housing
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : 
Improving Outcomes and Placements From Shelter
Supports not only positive exits to housing from shelter, but 
streamlining those placements allows the City to serve more 
unsheltered people in the community by increasing shelter 
capacity at the same time.
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : 
Develop New Housing Models
Develop new housing models that make it easier for 
individuals and families experiencing homelessness to find 
and rent housing. Expand housing models and interventions 
such as master leasing and shared housing to make it a 
seamless process for individuals experiencing homelessness 
to attain housing in the community.
I N I T I AT I V E 5 : 
Invest in Permanent Housing
Increase permanent housing, housing in which rental 
assistance and supportive services are provided to assist 
households with a disability in achieving stability. Use system 
modeling and data driven decision making to determine the 
level of need in Phoenix. Determine how much supportive 
housing investment is needed for high needs, complex 
households who may require both a rental subsidy and 
support services to attain and sustain housing.
I N I T I AT I V E 6 : 
Advocate for More Housing Vouchers
Advocate for increased rental subsidies and housing 
vouchers to support households who may need ongoing 
rental support in order to stay housed.
Overview of Key Strategies
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I M PA C T O U TC O M E S
A D D I T I O N A L A R E A S
• Increase Supportive Services Available to People in 
Housing to Reduce Evictions and Support Stability
• Increase Number of Units Available for 0-30% AMI
• Improve Positive Exits from City-funded Shelters
Coordination
Neighborhood Safety 
Coordination
Housing
Prevention
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The City of Phoenix is committed to 
improving system operations. The 
City recognizes the need for greater 
transparency and efficiency both for 
providers and City staff.
The City will focus on establishing 
consistent metrics aligned with its 
strategic and service goals, which 
includes improved public outreach 
and communications, and continued 
coordination across government 
departments.
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : 
Improvements to PHX C.A.R.E.S.
PHX C.A.R.E.S is the City’s coordinated response for 
neighborhoods and individuals experiencing homelessness 
that offers education, resources, and encampment cleanups. 
Expand C.A.R.E.S. protocols to maintain the City’s coordinated 
response to reports from the community.
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : 
Improve Coordination Across City Departments
Continue to improve coordination across all City departments,  
specifically to ensure that City responses to encampments, 
street cleanups, and parks are aligned and effective.
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : 
Improve Training and Support for Staff
Strengthen workforce through training opportunities to 
improve services delivered.
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : 
Neighborhood Outreach and Education
Continue to coordinate with and strategically expand 
connection to neighborhood groups, businesses, and faith 
organizations for programming and presentations to ensure 
residents are aware of the City’s efforts and resources available. 
Conduct more neighborhood outreach with opportunities to 
provide updates, answer questions and share ways to support 
the City’s efforts.
I N I T I AT I V E 5 : 
Data Collection on Key Indicators
Develop systemwide data collection and key indicators of 
performance to ensure our investments are achieving our 
goals and share those results with internal and external 
partners.
I N I T I AT I V E 6 : 
Evaluation of Performance
Evaluate performance of City-funded services and 
investments, both internal and external.
I N I T I AT I V E 7 : 
Cultivate Private Partnerships
Create a diversified funding strategy and leverage multi-
sector partnerships.
I N I T I AT I V E 8 : 
Enhance and Promote Healthy Giving Strategies
Continue to enhance and promote Healthy Giving to create 
opportunities for individuals and volunteers to give their time 
and resources in ways that minimize any inadvertent negative 
consequences in the community.
System 
Accountability
Overview of Key Strategies
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I M PA C T O U TC O M E S
A D D I T I O N A L A R E A S
• Increase Employment and Workforce Training Opportunities 
in City-funded Shelters
• Improve Community Perception of PHX C.A.R.E.S. Through 
Communication and Engagement Regarding Case Outcomes
• Increase Private/Public Partnership Endeavors
System Accountability
Neighborhood Safety 
Prevention
Housing
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Current investments OHS made to expand shelter 
and strategies to move people from encampments 
to shelter with services
To support long-term planning and drive system 
transformation, the City of Phoenix and its planning partner, 
Bloomberg Associates, are collaborating with system 
experts to develop a model that offers a clearer picture of 
how people move through the homelessness response 
system. This modeling effort is intended to help Phoenix, 
and the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care (CoC) assess 
who is using the services in the community and balance 
investments to meet the needs of people who are homeless. 
System modeling helps visualize and analyze the full 
range of services, from prevention and outreach to shelter, 
housing, and long-term stability. It shows how individuals 
and families navigate through the system, how long they 
stay in each stage, and where gaps or delays may occur. 
Just as important, it enables communities to test "what 
if" scenarios—such as expanding permanent housing or 
increasing prevention efforts—and estimate the potential 
impact of those changes over time. This gives decision-
makers a practical, data-informed tool to guide policy, set 
priorities, and invest resources where they will make the 
biggest difference. 
Using System Modeling to 
Improve Homelessness Planning 
As Phoenix refines its homelessness strategy, the ongoing 
system modeling work provides a valuable foundation for 
setting priorities and guiding investment. By highlighting 
where the system is under strain and where interventions 
can have the greatest impact, the analysis will support the 
development of more targeted, data-driven strategies. These 
insights will help the City strengthen the overall system and 
work toward a more balanced system—one that addresses 
immediate crisis needs while informing, and bolstering, 
long-term solutions like prevention and permanent housing 
to better serve the community.
To reduce homelessness, exits from the homelessness 
response system must outpace the inflow of people entering 
or reentering the homeless system and long term stayers who 
are defined as chronically homeless or in the system for more 
than a year. The system model maps shown below illustrate 
the investments made by the Office of Homeless Solutions to 
expand shelter availability. The goals outlined in the refreshed 
plan will develop efficiencies in existing shelter inventory and 
expand interventions such as diversion, rapid exits, and housing 
to improve outcomes to create a more balanced system.
Long term stayers are connected to appropriate 
services or housing
Expand housing exits, 
free up shelter space
Over time, system can shrink to match 
annual inflow, reaching equilibrium 
Prevent/ 
Divert to 
Shrink Inflow
Shelters are right-sized
Future state goals in strategic plan lead to more 
investment in housing
Created new shelter beds
Added support services
Increased outreach
Housing 
is limited
Long term stayers grow
SY S T E M M O D E L M A P
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Call for Sustainable Funding 
To fully realize the goals outlined in this plan, Phoenix must continue to secure 
and grow sustainable funding across multiple sources. This includes at a minimum 
sustained, ideally expanded, investment from local, state, and federal partners, 
as well as new sources of support from private and philanthropic contributors. 
Committed funding mechanisms—such as regional sales tax initiatives—can create 
the financial stability needed to scale solutions, preserve and grow affordable 
housing, and bring innovative ideas to life. Without strong and predictable 
resources, the system cannot evolve beyond crisis response. 
To build a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring, 
we must collectively invest in the tools and infrastructure that make 
lasting impact possible.
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Implementation Timeline 
for the Initiatives 
Prevention 
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : Utilize Data to Identify Individuals Most at Risk of Becoming Homeless 
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : Access to Flexible Prevention Funding 
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : Help People Reunite with Family and Friends 
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : Help Individuals Who Are Justice Involved Find Work and Housing 
Neighborhood Safety 
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : Develop a Streamlined Process for Enforcement that Balances Services 
with Enforcing Existing Laws
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : Real Time Referral Tool for Outreach Workers 
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : Improve Shelter Performance and Invest in Quality 
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : Weather Relief Planning
Coordination 
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : Better Access and Connection to Behavioral Health Supports 
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : Shelter and Housing for High Need Individuals
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : Increase Capacity and Quality of Services Provided
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : Better Connections to Job Training and Employment Opportunities 
for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Housing 
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : Conduct a Systemwide Modeling of Inflow and Outflow to Determine 
Shelter and Housing Capacity Need
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : Stable Funding for Comprehensive Supportive Services for People 
Exiting Homelessness to Housing
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : Improving Outcomes and Placements from Shelter
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : Develop New Housing Models
I N I T I AT I V E 5 : Invest in Permanent Housing
I N I T I AT I V E 6 : Advocate for More Housing Vouchers
System Accountability 
I N I T I AT I V E 1 : Improvements to PHX C.A.R.E.S
I N I T I AT I V E 2 : Improve Coordination Across City Departments
I N I T I AT I V E 3 : Improve Training and Support for Staff
I N I T I AT I V E 4 : Neighborhood Outreach and Education
I N I T I AT I V E 5 : Data Collection on Key Indicators
I N I T I AT I V E 6 : Evaluation of Performance
I N I T I AT I V E 7 : Cultivate Private Partnerships
I N I T I AT I V E 8 : Enhance and Promote Healthy Giving Strategies
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S H O R T T E R M : 
W I T H I N Y E A R 1
M E D I U M T E R M : 
Y E A R 1 TO Y E A R 2
LO N G T E R M : 
2 + Y E A R S
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Plan Refresh Timeline
Office of Homeless Solutions
Additional Input 
Refine Plan Interventions Based on 
Impact and Feasibility
Engagement
Refine Ideas
Stakeholder Meetings
Draft Initiatives
Initial Briefings
City Staff Engagement 
Create List of Focus Areas 
Consult Homelessness Task Force
Community Interviews 
Brainstorming
Analyze Data
Gather Evidence
Review of Best Practices
Outreach
Continued Community Outreach 
and Interviews
Develop Vision Statement
First Draft
Prioritize Initiatives
Create Outline of Plan Content
Public Engagement 
Launch Public Survey
Host Public Meeting and Webinar 
to Solicit Feedback
Draft Plan Content
Finalize Plan 
Incorporate Feedback 
for Final Plan
Additional Briefings
Brief Task Force, City Leadership 
and CoC
Lived Experience Workgroup 
to Gather Feedback 
Create Public Survey 
Develop Communications Strategy
Council Review
Design and Layout Plan
Provider Forum
Review Draft Plan with Council
Request Council Approval
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
N O V E M B E R /
D E C E M B E R 
2 0 2 4
J A N U A R Y
2 0 2 5
F E B R U A R Y
2 0 2 6
F E B R U A R Y
2 0 2 5
M A R C H
2 0 2 5
A P R I L
2 0 2 5
M AY
2 0 2 5
J U N E
2 0 2 5
J U LY /
A U G U S T
2 0 2 5
N O V E M B E R / 
D E C E M B E R
2 0 2 5
S E P T E M B E R / 
O C TO B E R
2 0 2 5
11
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This strategic plan reflects the City of Phoenix’s unwavering 
commitment to addressing homelessness with urgency, 
compassion, and a long-term vision. It builds on years of 
innovation, collaboration, and learning—recognizing both 
the progress achieved and the challenges still ahead. 
Through the development of diverse shelter options, 
enhanced outreach and engagement, strengthened 
partnerships and procurement practices, the advancement 
of innovative prevention and housing strategies, and the 
reinforcement of data systems, Phoenix is working to build 
a homelessness response system that not only addresses 
crises, but also prevents homelessness and shortens the 
path to permanent stability. 
Yet plans alone do not create change. Lasting progress 
will depend on the City’s ability to act decisively, adapt 
to evolving needs, and stay aligned across City agencies, 
nonprofit partners, and the broader community. 
Conclusion
This plan is a roadmap—not a finish line. 
It calls on every sector to remain 
engaged,  share responsibility, and help 
shape a system that is more balanced, 
effective, and rooted in dignity. 
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The Office of Homeless Solutions 
wishes to express our deep gratitude 
to community members and service 
providers who took the time to attend 
our public meetings, provide feedback 
or participate in round table meetings 
as our office developed this plan.  
The implementation of this plan will take 
the will of the entire community and we 
are grateful to work in a community that 
values strategic solutions to address one 
of society’s most complex problems.  
We truly appreciate your thoughtful 
comments and the time you took to 
work with us on this important plan. 
Your participation is valued.
Acknowledgments 
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Support provided by Kristin Misner-Gutierrez and Tamiru Mammo of Bloomberg Associates
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DRAFT