New Outreach Program Offers Services to People Experiencing Homelessness in Unincorporated Areas
April 2022
Maricopa County, in collaboration with Community Bridges Inc., will begin offering outreach services to people experiencing homelessness in unincorporated areas of Maricopa County. The program, called Hand-in-Hand Street Outreach, will operate up to (7) days a week depending on the region.
“These are difficult times and, more than ever, we need to band together to keep our community safe and strong,” said Tom Galvin, Board of Supervisors, District 2. “This particular program creates a network where community members can work hand in hand with the dedicated Community Bridges staff to address the personal and social impacts of homelessness in neighborhoods across our County.”
Outreach teams will go into unincorporated areas of Maricopa County and targeted communities where people experiencing homelessness are known to gather. The outreach team will work collaboratively with neighbors, community leaders, businesses, community service agencies, and law enforcement to address the needs of the unhoused population while working to transform neighborhoods.
“The Maricopa County Human Services Department is committed to delivering equitable, inclusive, and comprehensive services for people experiencing adversity — especially people experiencing homelessness,” said Jacqueline Edwards, Director of the department. “We’ve partnered with Community Bridges, Inc. for this program because of their continued dedication to providing holistic services with dignity and compassion as well as their expertise and effectiveness in engaging with people experiencing homelessness in the community and connecting them to available support systems.”
Resource navigators will assess each request for service and connect individuals to holistic resources to address their needs. Referrals to services may include temporary and permanent housing, employment, mental and physical health, addressing substance use, food, and other benefit programs. Case management and transportation services are also available for people in need of longer-term care.
How the Public Can Get Involved
Members of the public concerned about the well-being of people experiencing homelessness in unincorporated areas of Maricopa County may initiate a request for service by emailing as many details as possible about the location and number of people to MaricopaCountyReferral@cbridges.com.
The cost of the program is $424,854 and is funded by Maricopa County’s General Fund. For more information and to see specific areas where this program is available, visit Maricopa.gov/HiH.
About Maricopa County Human Services
As the fourth largest county in the nation home to some of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Maricopa County’s population is large, growing and more diverse than ever. Maricopa County’s Human Services Department has five divisions that provide services and programs to people of all ages and abilities to promote their well-being. From offering early education to career training and employment services to case management for aging and adults with disabilities — the Human Services Department serves as a leader in the region to support strong families, neighborhoods, and community relationships. Learn more about the financial, educational, and support resources available to eligible Maricopa County residents at www.HSD.maricopa.gov.
