Staff Reports | Community Updates
More than 200 families are currently on a waitlist for emergency shelter in Phoenix, highlighting ongoing challenges related to affordable housing and shelter capacity across Maricopa County.
Arizona has just 25 affordable housing units available for every 100 low-income households, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, according to a press release.
To help address those needs, UMOM New Day Centers, Arizona’s largest provider of services for families experiencing homelessness, is in the final phase of an $18.5 million capital campaign. The campaign will support expanded shelter capacity, health services, workforce development programs, case management resources and community spaces for families experiencing homelessness, according to a press release.
The campaign has raised $18.19 million and entered its public phase with less than $400,000 remaining to reach its goal. Through campus recognition opportunities, UMOM is inviting individuals, businesses and foundations to help complete the fundraising effort, according to a press release.
The campaign builds on a series of improvements completed over the past three years, including renovations to indoor and outdoor common areas, converting 30% of shelter rooms to accommodate larger families and development of affordable housing projects, including La Esperanza Terrace and Salamanca Square.
“As the need for our services continues to grow, so does our commitment to ensuring every family has access to safety, support, and a path forward,” Monique Lopez, chief executive officer of UMOM New Day Centers, said.
The organization pointed to its fiscal year 2026 results, covering July 2025 through June 2026, as evidence of continuing demand for shelter and support services:
- •410,289 nights of shelter provided.
- •2,528 clients moved into permanent housing.
- •665 adults exited a program with employment.
- •Eighty-six percent of families in emergency shelter exited to permanent housing, 17 percentage points above the county goal.
- •Ninety-seven percent of rapid rehousing clients who signed a lease moved into permanent housing.
- •Ninety-eight percent of veteran families exited to permanent housing, helping keep veteran family homelessness in Maricopa County at or near “functional zero.”
UMOM also announced a $750,000 matching opportunity to help secure the campaign’s remaining funding needs and support shelter, housing and related services for families throughout the community.
