Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions steadfast in working with local stakeholders
Staff Reports | Digital Free Pres
The Phoenix Board of Adjustment Thursday, April 4, approved a use permit allowing for the municipality to operate a 280-bed shelter and navigation center at 11 S. 71st Ave.
City leaders say they approve of the decision made by the Board of Adjustment, recognizing the urgent need for more shelter to help those who are experiencing homelessness in Phoenix.
Officials at the Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions say they will continue to work with stakeholders of the area to ensure concerns surrounding the shelter are addressed. There are several commitments in place through the Board of Adjustment approval including:
- The use permit includes stipulations for how the shelter will operate.
- A ‘Good Neighbor Agreement’ will be created by the Office of Homeless Solutions for the community to addresses items not in the stipulations, including how the city and shelter provider will work with neighbors to promptly address concerns.
- The community can continue to provide feedback through a 15-person community advisory committee that will consist of a majority of local residents or neighbors. The committee would meet monthly leading up to the opening of the shelter and quarterly thereafter.
- Once the shelter opens, it will also have a dedicated 24/7 hotline for residents to report any concerns to the city.
- During the development process, residents with questions or concerns regarding the shelter are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Homeless Solutions at homeless.solutions@phoenix.gov.
- The shelter will be a closed campus, meaning no walk-up services will be offered at this location and guests must be referred by an outreach service provider. The facility will have 24/7 security, a strict code of conduct and a curfew.
Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions steadfast in working with local stakeholders
Officials at the Office of Homeless Solutions say they frequently conduct outreach in the surrounding neighborhood and the efforts confirm there is a significant need for a safe, indoor shelter in the area.
In the last month, OHS outreach workers identified nearly 250 people experiencing homelessness within 1.5 miles of the shelter site.
The shelter will create 280 of the 790 new shelter beds the Office of Homeless Solutions is partnering to add in 2024 and 2025, as part of the city’s continued commitment to expanding shelter capacity in Phoenix, officials at City Hall say.
In addition, the site will offer meals, personal property storage, RV parking and space for people’s pets.
City leaders say the facility will also have a unique focus on providing workforce opportunities for shelter guests, including the opportunity to obtain immediate employment.
