Corey D. Woods, Mayor City of Tempe | City of Tempe Official website
Corey D. Woods, Mayor City of Tempe | City of Tempe Official website
Tempe sees significant drop in homelessness
May 22, 2024
Tempe, AZ - Tempe’s latest Point-in-Time homeless street count showed a notable reduction in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with a 34% decrease this year.
“Once again, we are seeing a significant reduction in the number of unsheltered people in Tempe,” said Mayor Corey Woods. “We have pioneered new strategies and invested heavily in enhancing our homeless solutions. These commitments show in our recent Point-in-Time results.”
The city has facilitated housing resolutions for over 1,600 individuals over the past two years. This includes finding apartments, reconnecting families, or transitioning to longer-term shelters to address complex needs.
Tempe’s 2023 Community Survey indicates that reducing homelessness is a top priority for residents. To address these concerns, the City of Tempe has made substantial investments and innovations such as purchasing two bridge shelters and establishing the 24/7 CARE & HOPE Line.
Additionally, Tempe has initiated its first-ever homeless outreach collaborative involving providers like the Salvation Army and Native American Connections. This collaboration aims to identify areas of need and coordinate responses effectively.
City Manager Rosa Inchausti expressed gratitude towards the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) for overseeing the annual homeless street count. "As a data-driven city, this count gives us an important new data point as we track our progress to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness and our broader community," she stated.
Results from MAG revealed approximately 9,435 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County on January 22nd night. The number included 4,076 people living on the streets and 5,359 in shelters. Specifically for Tempe, there was a decrease from 406 unsheltered individuals last year to 266 this year.
The city continues to refine its approach by enhancing data collection methods through its HOPE homeless outreach team and offering more training on trauma awareness and motivational interviewing.
Residents can contribute by volunteering alongside HOPE teams or donating through local organizations like Tempe Community Action Agency or participating in campaigns such as Real Change, Not Spare Change.
For more information or media inquiries: Susie_steckner@tempe.gov or call at 480-604-6128.
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