Maricopa County Provides $6.7 Million to Weather Relief Partnership for People Experiencing Homelessness
May 2023
Funds Extend Shelter Operations Through January 2025
Maricopa County has approved an extension to an agreement with the City of Phoenix to provide temporary day and night shelter services to serve up to 200 individuals experiencing homelessness in the Phoenix area. The agreement extends Maricopa County’s partnership on this heat relief station located at 28th and Washington Streets through January 2025.
This extension increases the County’s original $2 million contribution for the facility’s operation to more than $6.7 million. The funding is part of the County’s federal American Rescue Plan Act allocation to help Maricopa County residents recover from the effects of the pandemic.
“This partnership with City of Phoenix ensures people experiencing homelessness will have a safe place to rest and recover during our hottest months. That’s reason enough to extend this partnership with City of Phoenix,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman, District 4. “But what’s really encouraging to me is that so many of the people who have utilized these shelter services are able to then transition to permanent housing.”
Since May 2022, nearly 1,000 people have been served at the heat relief station. Of those served, 78 percent of people leave with a positive exit on a path to end their homelessness. In addition to providing a respite from the weather during the day, the shelter provides a safe, indoor place to sleep, meals, shower facilities, and services to help people connect with resources to address issues to re-establish housing, employment, and transportation. The facility also has accommodations for the pets of those who are staying there. Substance use and mental health services are also available, if needed.
“The folks we’re seeing at these shelters need more than protection from the weather or a safe place to sleep,” said Supervisor Steve Gallardo, District 5. “They need someone who cares, someone who believes in them, and someone who can connect them to services that can get them into a more stable situation. That’s what this partnership is all about.”
The partnership with the City of Phoenix is one of many initiatives that Maricopa County is pursuing to expand options for people experiencing homelessness to access services and support. These efforts include:
- $400,000 to launch a street outreach program for people experiencing homelessness. Video >>> Meet two women who utilized this program
- $3.8 Million to fund heat relief partnerships with six cities and the Human Services Campus. Video >>> Meet a resident of an overnight heat relief station
- $4.2 Million for Avondale and Surprise to add shelter capacity in the West Valley.
- $5 Million to provide a pathway to exit homelessness through partnerships with property owners. Video >>> Hear from the leaders of this program.
- $6 Million toward the construction of bridge housing to help seniors transition out of homelessness.
- $23 Million to operate four converted hotels with a total of 250 units that can accommodate couples, families, and pets as bridge housing to help people exit homelessness.
- $28 Million to construct 352 new shelter beds for seniors, large families, and individuals experiencing homelessness: Video >>> Meet a family of 8 staying at UMOM.
For more information on the support programs available, visit Maricopa.gov/HelpWithBills.
About Maricopa County Human Services
The Maricopa County Human Services Department (HSD) builds resiliency in the community and promotes the well-being of County residents experiencing adversity through a variety of programs and services to help people and families thrive. These opportunities include early childhood education, housing, and homeownership, independent living services for seniors and adults with disabilities, career development for job seekers with barriers to employment, crisis rental and utility assistance, and support for people experiencing homelessness. HSD is committed to delivering innovative, equitable, inclusive, and comprehensive services in a collaborative approach that preserves dignity, promotes respect, and facilitates social and economic mobility. Learn more about the financial, educational, and support resources available to Maricopa County residents at Maricopa.gov/HSD.
