Attachment A_Strategies to Address Homelessness Task Force Status Update 5.2024.pdf

STATUS UPDATE  
TO TASK FORCE  
RECOMMENDATIONS  
TO THE CITY MANAGER 
  
MAY 2024  
ATTACHMENT A

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
Page | 1
 
 
Background .................................................................................................................. 1 
Outreach and Resources .............................................................................................. 3 
Shelter .......................................................................................................................... 6 
Affordable Housing ...................................................................................................... 9 
Permanent Supportive Housing ................................................................................. 12 
Neighborhoods .......................................................................................................... 14 
Eviction Prevention .................................................................................................... 17 
Encampments ............................................................................................................ 19

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Background 
Since the implementation of the Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan (Plan) in 
2020, and the subsequent Task Force recommendations to the Plan in 2022, the 
City has made significant strides in its efforts to address homelessness and find 
innovative solutions. The following report details the significant progress the City 
has made towards accomplishing the key goals set forth by the City Council and 
the Task Force in the Plan. The categories of strategies include: 
 Outreach and Resources 
 Shelter 
 Affordable Housing 
 Permanent Supportive Housing 
 Eviction Prevention  
 Neighborhoods 
 Encampments 
To accomplish the goals established within each strategy, City departments have 
undertaken significant coordination, typically with one department taking the lead 
on a particular strategy. The lead and supporting departments are outlined in the 
report and include the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS), Neighborhood Services 
Department (NSD), Human Services Department (HSD), Housing Department (HD), 
Planning and Development Department (PDD), and the Communications Office 
(PIO).

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Outreach and Resources Strategies 
 
Completed or Ongoing 
Develop an enhanced Community Outreach Practice Profile to guide best 
practices and consistency across the community street outreach providers. (OHS) 
 Established an enhanced Community Outreach Profile. 
 City of Phoenix staff participation in the Continuum of Care Outreach 
Collaborative. 
 Established Homeless Liaison teams who pair with Street Transportation, 
Public Works and Parks and Recreation department staff to address PHX 
C.A.R.E.S. cases. 
 
Identify hotspots in the Valley to target the delivery of services based on unique 
needs of the community (understand, analyze hotspots to tailor location specific 
intervention). (OHS) 
 Hired Homeless Liaison Team dedicated to specific City Council districts and 
areas of greatest need throughout the city. 
 Paired Homeless Liaisons with Street Transportation, Public Works, and Parks 
and Recreation department staff to address PHX C.A.R.E.S. cases. 
 Homeless Liaisons, together with other departments, to establish new 
hotspots or determine when a hotspot has been sufficiently closed. 
 Established Behavioral Health Engagement Teams specifically to address 
mental health and substance use.   
 Establishing immediate treatment bed referral program for people with 
substance use disorder. 
 
Identify new methods (in addition to public schools) to connect with families on 
the edge of homelessness. (OHS) 
 Allocated Emergency Solutions Grant funding to Homelessness Prevention 
services to be distributed through HSD’s Community and Senior Services 
Division during FY 2023-24 and 2024-25.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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 Allocated funding to Salvation Army to provide outreach to families for 
prevention services. 
 
Increase outreach teams and intensive engagement to encampments to 
encourage engagement with services, which hopefully leads to entering available 
shelter. (OHS) 
 Established City of Phoenix Homeless Liaison Team with nine total positions 
dedicated to City Council districts and areas of greatest need throughout the 
city. 
 Created a new position, Phoenix Outreach Team Program Coordinator, to 
lead the existing Outreach/Case Worker Team. 
 Strive to hire individuals with lived experience for positions that work directly 
with people experiencing homelessness.   
 Completed Request for Proposal process for PHX C.A.R.E.S. Outreach 
provider in 2023.  
 Established Behavioral Health Engagement Teams specifically to address 
mental health and substance use.  
 
Establish meaningful quantitative and qualitative success metrics and an 
outward facing data dashboard for community outreach. (OHS) 
 Data expert hired by OHS to oversee data, reporting, and outcomes for all 
homelessness projects.  
 OHS data expert acts as co-chair of the Maricopa Continuum of Care Data 
Committee.  
 Staff completed a detailed review of existing contracts and adjusted all new 
and existing contracts to be outcome oriented.  
 Phoenix Homeless Solutions Dashboard launched April 2023 to provide data 
transparency for emergency shelter, street outreach, and Rapid Re-Housing. 
 
Cross-train other workforces to serve as Homeless Outreach Teams. (OHS) 
 Coordinate outreach efforts with the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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 Behavioral Health Engagement Teams work with Phoenix Police Department 
and Community Bridges, Inc. conducting coordinated efforts in areas of 
greatest need.  
 OHS Homeless Liaisons work collaboratively with NSD Specialists to address 
community concerns in a coordinated manner.  
 
Coordinate criminal justice diversion with specially trained navigators at all 
points of the Sequential Intercept Model. (OHS) 
 Established Community Court in partnership with Phoenix Municipal Court, 
Public Defender’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office and Community Bridges, Inc. in 
January 2024.

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                                         Shelter Strategies 
Completed or Ongoing  
Provide guidance on an effective spectrum of supportive services to ensure 
new/existing shelters or sites can create environments that adopt SAMHSA 
Principles for trauma-informed design for their customers and the surrounding 
community. (OHS) 
 Created Shelter Blueprint for all future City-funded shelters, which includes a 
requirement for Trauma Informed Care (TIC) training for all shelter staff. 
 Shelter Blueprint was used in the development of all new Phoenix-funded 
shelters including the Washington Shelter, Rio Fresco, and all shelters 
currently under development. 
 Created ‘Good Neighbor Agreements’ in communities where new shelters 
are sited to establish agreed upon parameters for operation.    
 Defining No/Low Barrier Shelter Guidance approved by CCI Subcommittee. 
 
Recommend the City Council commit to rapid development of additional 
temporary housing capacity by placing beds and services in every City Council 
district. (OHS) 
 Funded Lutheran Social Services I-HELP program, which includes pocket 
shelters that could operate in all City Council districts. 
 Opened Washington Relief Center in District 8.  
 Created Rio Fresco Healing Center in District 8. 
 CASS The Haven senior shelter is in process in District 5. 
 City of Phoenix Shelter Site at 11 S. 71st Ave. is in process in District 7. 
 CBI North Mountain Healing Center shelter in process in District 3. 
 St. Vincent de Paul Ozanam Manor II is in process in District 8. 
 Additional beds at the UMOM New Day Center Family Shelter are planned in 
District 8.  
 Additional beds at the Salvation Army Family Shelter are planned in District 8. 
 Temporary Lodging facilities were opened in 2023 in Districts 3, 4, 7 and 8.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Increase new temporary housing beds as soon as possible. (OHS) 
 Phoenix created 592 new shelter beds in 2022, 482 new temporary beds in 
2023, and investments are in progress to an additional 790 new beds in 2024.  
 Phoenix 2024 Point In Time (PIT) Count showed a 19% reduction in the 
unsheltered count and 15% increase in the sheltered count, as compared to 
2023 data. 
 
Provide safe storage with a hot box available for personal property available at 
any shelter and clean, safe restrooms. (OHS) 
 Created Shelter Blueprint for all future City-funded shelters, which includes 
emphasis on providing storage at each shelter location. 
 Storage is located at multiple areas on the Key Campus (formerly Human 
Services Campus), Washington Relief Center and all temporary lodging sites. 
 Storage is available at the Safe Outdoor Space. 
 Storage will be available at the 11 S. 71st Avenue Navigation Center.   
 Awarded just under $2 million in federal funding in 2023 to provide 
additional secure storage space for individuals experiencing homelessness to 
safely store their personal items.  
 
City commitment to multiple, smaller pocket shelters. (OHS) 
 Funded Lutheran Social Services I-HELP program, which includes pocket 
shelters that could operate in all City Council Districts. (20 beds)  
 CBI North Mountain Healing Center shelter planned in District 3 expected to 
open in two phases, phase one in summer 2024 and phase two in December 
2024. (100 beds) 
 St. Vincent de Paul Ozanam Manor II planned in District 8 expected to open 
July 2024. (100 beds) 
 CASS Haven is planned in District 5 and expected to open in the summer of 
2024 (170 beds). 
 
Continuously monitor active shelter beds with the goal of adding new shelter 
beds equal to 35 to 50 percent of new units of the Phoenix unsheltered PIT count 
over the period of three years. (OHS)

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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 Phoenix 2024 PIT Count showed a 19% reduction in the unsheltered count 
and 15% increase in the sheltered count, as compared to 2023 data. 
 Phoenix created 592 new shelter beds in 2022, 482 new temporary beds in 
2023, and investments are in progress to an additional 790 new beds in 2024.   
 Phoenix has shelter projects in its pipeline that ensure it is on track to 
significantly exceed this goal with a total of 1,864 beds created within three 
years.  
 
Develop at least one structured campground to provide temporary and rapid 
relief to people who cannot, or will not, enter a traditional shelter. (OHS) 
 In November 2023, Phoenix opened the Safe Outdoor Space, a referral-based 
structured campground located at 1537 W. Jackson St. with capacity for up 
to 200 sites, or 300 guests.  
In Progress 
Identify additional non-government funding to fund ongoing shelter operations. 
(OHS) 
 Convening with government funders and providers to create a plan to 
address the operational needs given the new creation of permanent projects 
funded primarily through ARPA and other pandemic-era funding. 
 OHS staff member responsible for researching and applying for grant 
opportunities hired. 
 Applied for funding for operation funding for the Phoenix Navigation Site 
from Gila River Indian Community in 2023. 
 Partnered with Valley of the Sun United Way and Vitalyst to pilot a flexible 
housing program to help quickly, permanently house individuals in city-
funded shelters or temporary lodging sites.  
 Applied for and received multiple grants from Maricopa County, Arizona 
Department of Housing and Congressional Earmarks.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Affordable Housing Strategies 
Completed or Ongoing  
Identify a list of City-owned parcels in each Council district to use for affordable 
housing ensuring citywide equity (Housing Phoenix Plan Initiative 3). (HD) 
 Staff evaluated City-owned property suitable for affordable housing 
throughout all City Council districts. 
 City Council approved a list of City-owned parcels for affordable housing 
development in December 2020 and an updated list in August 2022 (Districts 
3, 4, 5, 7, and 8). 
 
Prioritize and equitably distribute City-owned vacant land for affordable and 
workforce housing. (HD) 
 City Council approved a list of City-owned parcels that are set aside for future 
affordable housing or mixed-income housing development. 
 
Support the Landlord Incentive Program with additional funding (Housing 
Phoenix Plan Initiative 7). (HD) 
 Landlord Incentive Program was authorized by City Council in 2020 with 
$500,000 in CARES funding. 
 A total of $7.3 million in ARPA funding has been approved in October 2021 
($1M), June 2022 ($4M), and November 2023 ($2.3M) 
 
Implement a tracking tool to analyze affordable housing preservation (Housing 
Phoenix Plan Initiative 7). (HD) 
 Staff tracks preserved affordable housing units on a quarterly basis through 
the following City programs: Landlord Incentive, Rental Rehabilitation, Rental 
Assistance Demonstration, Community Land Trust, and HOME gap financing. 
 
Education for Village Planning Committees (VPCs) on how affordable housing 
benefits communities (Housing Phoenix Plan Initiative 9). (HD, PDD) 
 Staff plans to provide annual updates to VPCs on the Housing Phoenix Plan 
and the benefits of affordable housing.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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 A Housing Phoenix Plan update was provided to Planning Commission in May 
2022 and September 2023. 
 
Tracking tool outlining how affordable housing initiatives benefit the 
community, measures such as home value, crime rates, etc., (Housing Phoenix 
Plan Initiative 9). (HD) 
 Progress updates on the initiatives included in the Housing Phoenix Plan are 
published quarterly. 
 Staff will continue to research and communicate the value and importance of 
affordable housing as outreach is conducted. 
 
Advocate for more housing representation on the VPCs (Housing Phoenix Plan 
Initiative 9). (HD) 
 Staff is working with the Mayor's Office to update the Boards and 
Commissions application to highlight the affordable housing experience. 
 
Increased education and outreach to communities (Housing Phoenix Plan 
Initiative 9). (HD) 
 Staff provides updates to community groups on a regular basis. 
 Recent updates include the Phoenix Women's Commission, and the Phoenix 
Community Alliance in addition to several community organizations. 
 
Policy to preserve affordable housing units. (HD) 
 Staff developed and expanded programs to preserve existing or naturally 
occurring affordable housing like the Landlord Incentive and Rental 
Rehabilitation programs. 
 $33 million in GO Bond funding will support preservation of existing Housing 
Department-owned communities.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Convene a panel of affordable housing experts to evaluate the current housing 
landscape to determine specific recommendations on affordable and workforce 
housing. (HD, PDD) 
 Staff held an affordable and workforce housing roundtable in September 
2023 attended by approximately 60 affordable housing and development 
experts. 
 
In Progress 
Recommend City Council and staff to pursue Voluntary Inclusionary Zoning and 
adopt accessory dwelling unit housing options (Housing Phoenix Plan Initiative 
2). (PDD) 
 In September 2023, City Council approved a zoning ordinance text 
amendment to address accessory dwelling units.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Permanent Supportive Housing Strategies 
Completed or Ongoing  
Research best practices/models for exit strategies from Permanent Supportive 
Housing. (OHS) 
 Phoenix participated in the Maricopa Association of Government’s (MAG) 
Move On Strategies Workgroup to explore strategies in the region for people 
who may no longer need or want intensive services from Permanent 
Supportive Housing (PSH). 
 OHS purchased a hotel and is converting it to permanent housing for 
individuals exiting homelessness.   
 
Increase project-based vouchers by 50% with the City of Phoenix responsible for 
150 additional project-based vouchers. (HD) 
 City Council approved 100 project-based vouchers in June 2022 where 
several awardees included supportive services as part of their proposal. 
 An RFP to award up to 250 project-based vouchers was issued in January 
2024; several respondents included supportive services as part of their 
proposal. 
In Progress 
Provide supplemental funding to ensure multi-disciplinary supportive services 
for individuals in PSH to ensure retention and positive outcomes. (OHS) 
 OHS purchased a hotel and is converting it to permanent housing for 
individuals exiting homelessness. This project will have onsite support 
services.  
 
Research supportive service methods/models to assist vulnerable clients in PSH 
who are struggling in housing or are not receiving or accepting supportive 
services. (OHS)

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Partner with community agencies to provide PSH services in alignment with 
national best practices and other local community/culturally sensitive models. 
(OHS) 
 OHS purchased a hotel and is converting it to permanent housing for 
individuals exiting homelessness.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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Neighborhoods Strategies 
Completed or Ongoing  
Targeted resources to surrounding neighborhoods where shelters and services 
are provided. (NSD) 
 CASS’s The Haven   
o NSD Specialists continue to coordinate with the business owners and 
residents in all of the focus areas to assist them with issues related to 
the city of Phoenix, including meetings with Planning and Development, 
Street Transportation, Police and Community and Economic 
Development. 
 Washington Relief Center  
o City Council approved Turf Replacement Project at Wilson Elementary. 
The Wilson Elementary School District and NSD held a ribbon cutting 
event on April 10, 2023.  
o Gated Alley Program - four Sky Harbor alley segments were gated this 
Fiscal Year.     
o Worked with Sky Harbor community leader to complete paperwork for 
Street Transportation to install four speed humps in the area. Two 
more locations in the area that could benefit from speed humps were 
identified.  
o Through the Private Property Cleanup Program(PPCP), biohazard 
cleanings are completed on a weekly basis from Washington to the 
Railroad – 30th to 24th Streets. 
 Key Campus (formerly the Human Services Campus) 
o In February 2023, the Street Transportation Department completed 
installations of 12 new streetlights in the area around the Campus. 
o Street Transportation Department continues regular cleaning of the 
area around the Campus three times a week. 
o Staff conducts weekly biohazard cleanings around the Key Campus area 
and offers on-call biohazard cleaning to businesses in the area.

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o NSD is also coordinating meetings with members of the Madison 
Pioneer Coalition and multiple departments to discuss rebranding, 
beautification opportunities and potential zoning ideas brought 
forward by the community. 
 Hatcher Road 
o Through the PPCP, biohazard cleanings are completed on a weekly basis 
along Hatcher Road from 7th Avenue to 16th Avenue during the step 
down of the SVdP dining hall and start-up of heat relief efforts at the 
Sunnyslope Family Services Center.  
 Saint Vincent de Paul Ozanam Manor 
o Through the PPCP, biohazard cleanings are completed on a weekly basis 
along Watkins Road from 7th Avenue to 3rd Avenue - Watkins to 
Maricopa Freeway access road. 
 
Expand the Gated Alley Program throughout the city. (NSD) 
 FY 2023-24 program budget was increased to $852K allowing 77 alley 
segments to be gated. In January 2024, City Council approved an additional 
$750K in Block Watch funds to gate 68 more alleys. 
 NSD will be funding an additional 23 alley segments to be gated; District 5 
will be funding two additional segments in District 5. 
 NSD briefed City Council about the permanent program in November 2023. 
 
Support in identifying shelter locations with wrap around services that are 
equitably distributed in all parts of the city with the best opportunity for success. 
(OHS, NSD) 
 Funded Lutheran Social Services I-HELP program, which includes pocket 
shelters that could operate in all City Council districts. 
 Opened Washington Relief Center in District 8. 
 Created Rio Fresco Shelter in District 8. 
 CASS The Haven shelter is in process in District 5. 
 City of Phoenix Shelter Site at 11 S. 71st Ave. is in process in District 7. 
 CBI North Mountain Healing Center shelter is in process in District 3. 
 St. Vincent de Paul Ozanam Manor II is in process in District 8. 
 UMOM New Day Center Family Shelter is planned in District 8.

STATUS UPDATE TO TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
 
 
 
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 Salvation Army Family Shelter is planned in District 8. 
 
Public safety plans, within and surrounding neighborhoods where shelters are 
located, with measurable commitment. (OHS, NSD, PD, HSD) 
 Implemented public safety plans in neighborhoods surrounding shelter 
locations. 
 Utilizing Good Neighbor Agreements at all new shelters, including 
Washington Relief Center, North Mountain Healing Center, Rio Fresco 
Healing Center, and the planned City of Phoenix shelter. 
 
In Progress 
Public education campaign with the Healthy Giving Council. (PIO) 
 Partnered with Healthy Giving Council to post billboards running throughout 
each holiday season.  
 Respond to relevant media inquiries with information on the Healthy Giving 
Council to encourage people to get involved or make donations to groups 
that help connect individuals with resources year-round.  
 Hold monthly Healthy Giving Council meetings with guest speakers and 
presentations around the topics of healthy giving, volunteer opportunities 
and available community resources/services. 
 Held a shoe and sock drive for the Key Campus during the 2023 and 2024 
holiday season (October 15-December 15). 
 Members of the Healthy Giving Council are available to attend community 
events/meetings to promote healthy giving. 
 
Identify sources of funding to support and grow the work of the Healthy Giving 
Council. (OHS) 
 Assigned an OHS staff person to be more heavily involved in the Healthy 
Giving Council.

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Eviction Prevention Strategies 
Completed or Ongoing  
Gather data from Eviction Prevention to advocate for more rental/mortgage 
funding. (HSD) 
 HSD regularly reviews regional eviction filing data and participates in 
community meetings looking into and advocating on behalf of additional 
eviction prevention funding. HSD responds annually to relevant state 
legislative proposals advocating for more support of eviction prevention 
programs and regulations. 
 
Partner with community-based organizations and businesses (schools, landlords, 
etc.) to target those at risk of eviction. (HSD) 
 The City of Phoenix Community Action Program has ongoing partnerships 
with local schools, Head Start, non-profit and landlord associations, as well as 
partnerships with local constables to provide wraparound services to help 
address ongoing barriers to eviction. 
 Staff continuously engages with community partners to serve Phoenix 
residents at risk of eviction.  
o In July 2023, HSD began administering rental and utility assistance 
funding (Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance and 
Permanent Housing Placement) to persons with Aids/HIV,  
o In April 2024, the John F. Long Family Services Center entered into an 
agreement with Cartwright Elementary School District (Title I) to offer 
services, including eviction prevention, to school participants and their 
families.

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Designate funds for more flexible financial assistance to prevent evictions, 
specifically for financial needs that remain unmet by current City of Phoenix 
programs (HSD). 
 Allocated $220k to Homelessness Prevention services to be distributed 
through HSD’s Community Services Program during FY 2023-24. 
 HSD continues to advocate for and receive Emergency Solutions Grant 
eviction prevention funds to support low income and previously homeless 
residents obtain and safely remain in housing.

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Encampments Strategies 
Completed or Ongoing  
Provide private property cleanups program. (NSD) 
 Proposed FY 24-25 budget includes conversion of the Private Property Clean 
Up (PPCU) Program from pilot to permanent.  
 During FY 23-24, the PPCU Pilot conducted 29 private property clean ups and 
152 enhanced/biohazard clean ups. Biohazard cleanings are completed on a 
weekly and/or on-call basis in the following locations:  
o Area around the Key Campus. 
o Area around Phoenix Rescue Mission. 
o Hatcher Road- 7th Avenue to 16th Avenue. 
o SVDP/Watkins Road from 7th Ave to 3rd Avenue-Watkins to Maricopa 
Freeway access road.  
o Washington to Railroad – 30th to 24th Streets. 
 
Support the implementation of a Phoenix Works program. (OHS, NSD) 
 Started Phoenix Works program in partnership with Phoenix Rescue Mission 
in Nov. 2022. 
 
Define Encampments in the Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan. (OHS) 
 Encampments were defined in the Task Force Recommendations. 
 
Commitment that encampments located near the Human Services Campus are 
treated the same as encampments located in other areas of the city. (OHS) 
 Encampment around the Key Campus (formerly the Human Services Campus) 
was decommissioned in 2023. A total of 718 people camping in the area 
were offered indoor locations and 82 percent of individuals in the area 
accepted an indoor placement. OHS continues to monitor data on the 
encampment to gauge if individuals that were previously engaged have 
moved to housing, continue to be in shelter or have reentered unsheltered 
homelessness.