Presentation Regarding Strategies to Address Homelessness

Update on Strategies to 
Address Homelessness
City Council Work Session
August 26, 2021

Agenda
Status of Homelessness
Chandler's Programs
New Initiatives 
Regional Activities
Challenges and Opportunities

Status of 
Homelessness in 
Maricopa County

Homelessness in Maricopa County

May 2021
Anticipated Net
Change - Next 12
Months
Predicted May 2022
w/o Additional
Assistance
Individuals
2,979
599
3,578
Families/Households
102
18
120
Total Unsheltered
3,081
617
3,698
Sheltered &
Unsheltered
6,369
986
7,355
Source: MAG

Cost of Homelessness

Housing Stability

Housing Stability Services
Fiscal Year 2020-2021:
	
*Outcomes impacted by COVID-19
Fiscal Year 2020-2021: 
20 emergency home repairs
Average age - 61Years old
Average household size - 1.9
Average median income - 38.30%
40%
35%
25%
Very Low Income 8
Low Income
7
Moderate Income 5
Fiscal Year 2021-2022 to Date: 
4 Emergency Home Repairs
5 Exterior improvement loans
2 ADA home modifications
15 active inquiries/applications

On-Going Eviction Prevention
Agency
Funding
Households Served
AZCEND (CAP)
$178,500
4,214
Salvation Army Rental
Assistance
$15,000
240
The City of Chandler annually allocates funds to our Community Action 
Program (CAP) to assist with rental and utility assistance. 
Fiscal Year 2020-2021:

Federal Eviction 
Prevention

Federal Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program 
(ERA)
• Received just under $14 million to assist Chandler residents
• ERA Program administered by CAP Agency (AZCEND)
• Eligible residents may receive rent, utilities and arrears up to 18 
months
• Need must be related to COVID-19
• Must be 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or below based on 
household size
*One-time funds to address COVID-19 emergency

Federal ERA Outcomes
Households Served
524
435
89
Total Expenditures
$3,878,378
$488,027
$63,623
Average Expenditure
Per Household
$7,397
$1,121
$715
Assistance through 
August 14, 2021:
Source: AZCEND Community Action Program (CAP)

Homeless Services

Navigation and Client Services
Peer-based outreach services
Connection to housing, health care 
and supportive services  
Coordination with public safety and 
other City departments
Liaison to Chandler businesses and 
residents 
Funded by GF, CDBG, CDBG-CV, ARP,  
CARES

History of Homeless Navigation Services
Began contracting for services in 2014
Utilized several local agencies
Challenges:
Hours in Chandler
Lack of access to data and outcomes
High turnover
Lack of connection to City 
departments
Hired first City temp community 
navigator February 2020
First FTE community navigator 
supervisor July 2021

Navigation and Client Services Outcomes
Fiscal Year 2020-2021:
15%
19%
41%
7%
18%
Diverted
18
Permanent
Housing
23
Shelter
50
Institutional
Setting
8
Other Exit
22
Households Served: 183
Single Individuals: 176
Persons in Families with 
Children: 17
Veterans : 9
(Singles & Families)
Housing Outcomes: 82% Positive Exits

Heat Relief Center
Partnership with the Chandler Salvation Army
Open weekdays in Summer, 9 am - 5 pm, and excessive heat warning days
Respite, food/water, navigation services, Wi-Fi, pet friendly
Funded by ARP

Heat Relief Outcomes
97 unduplicated clients
35 days of service
346 client visits
1,360 total services
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Food/Water
Shower
Sleep
Bedding
Referrals
Fiscal Year 2020-2021:

Operation Opendoor
Began as an immediate response 
to COVID-19
Utilize hotel rooms for non-
congregate shelter
Provide food and navigation 
services
Exit to permanent housing
Funded by CDBG-CV, CARES, ARP

Operation Opendoor Outcomes
11%
63%
14%
2%
11%
Diverted
13
Permanent Housing 76
Shelter
17
Institutional Setting
2
Other
13
Fiscal Year 2020-2021: 89% Positive Exits
Total bed Nights:
4,527 Days

Average Length of Stay: 
59 Days
Average Cost Per Client:
$4,731

Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing
Annual GF Allocations:
I-HELP for single individuals 
Emergency Shelter for families
Domestic Violence Shelter
One-Time AZ CARES and ARP Funds:
Rapid Rehousing for families

Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing Outcomes
386 Persons Served:
I-HELP for single individuals - 144 individuals
Emergency Shelter for families - 14 families
Rapid Rehousing for families - 75 individuals
Domestic Violence Shelter - 153 individuals
38%
7%
53%
2%
Child
147
Youth
29
Adult
206
Elderly
8
Fiscal Year 2020-2021:

Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
Provides temporary subsidy and intensive 
case management with goal of obtaining 
stability and transitioning to independence.
Serves 25 households experiencing 
homelessness at any given time
Supported by HOME and CDBG funds

Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
Fiscal Year 2020-2021: 50 Individuals in 36 Households Served
Disabled
Veterans
Victims of Domestic
Violence
Severely Mental Illness
(SMI)
Female Head of
Households
44%
16%
2%
5%
33%

Investment in Homelessness FY 2020-2021
Activity
Amount
Navigation and Client Services
$919,387
Operation Opendoor
$903,000
Emergency Shelter
$135,000
TBRA/RRH
$550,000
Annual Rent and Utilities
$277,500
Housing Stability
$384,500
Federal Eviction Prevention
$14,070,962
Total Expenditures
$17,240,349

Sources of Funding
*
Fund Source
Amount
General Fund
$602,500
CDBG
$143,000
CDBG-CV
$770,387
HOME
$200,000
AZ CARES
$475,000
ARP
$816,000
ERA
$14,233,462
Total Expenditures
$17,240,349

New Initiatives

Enhanced Mental Health Court
 * One-time General Fund Decision Package
New pilot project approved in FY 2021 Budget 
Process
Will provide residents experiencing homelessness 
an opportunity to engage in services in lieu of 
maximum sentencing
Full-time court navigator will provide intensive 
support services and report back to court

Emergency Housing Vouchers
Funds available through the American Rescue Plan (ARP)
Chandler received 28 federal vouchers
Serves households experiencing homelessness meeting specific 
criteria
Partnership between PHA's and Regional Coordinated Entry Systems
Program funded through 2030

Enhanced Navigation and Client Services
4 additional grant-funded temporary navigators 
2 federally funded temporary housing locators 
2 federally funded housing stability specialists
Veteran specific partnership with Operation Shockwave
Expand Change-Up Campaign

Regional Activities

Regional Initiatives  
MAG facilitated comprehensive research on local strategies and  
national best practices to address homelessness
 
Fall 2020 
May 2021 
Fall 2021
December 2021 
 Regional Strategies Portfolio approved by MAG Regional Council
MAG request to meet with City officials to discuss implementation of 
Regional Action Plan
 
Regional Action Plan presented to Regional Council for approval
*All requests for Chandler resources will come back to Chandler City Council for approval

Portfolio Categories and Strategies
1. Homelessness Diversion and Prevention
2. Housing Options
3. Coordination
4. Services
5. Temporary Housing

Challenges 
and 
Opportunities

Current Challenges
Legal constraints (Martin v. Boise) 
Availability of accessible shelter
Staffing
Transportation
Storage of personal property
Sustainable solutions
It's not illegal to be homeless

Current Opportunities 
Contract with private security for downtown parking garages
Continue to explore alternative options to address homelessness in public 
spaces
Secure funding to continue Operation Open Door past February 2022
Secure funding to expand Operation Open Door and continue Rapid Re-
Housing for families
Explore opportunities to make expanded navigation services permanent
Secure appropriate space and funding to continue Heat Relief Services
Evaluate regional options 
Expand visibility of Change up campaign

Questions