SE Valley Times

Tempe, AZ - At 9 a.m. on Saturday, activity begins outside Tempe's shelter for homeless individuals. A train speeds past, pedestrians stroll by, and cars navigate side streets. Inside room #117, Keith Holmes is preparing to move into his new permanent home with a bike, three overstuffed bags, and a hopeful future.

The shelter provided Keith with a safe place to plan for the future. The city's Tempe Works program connected him to employment and city staff assisted him with a housing voucher to offset rent. These supports helped Keith transition from homelessness to housing.

Keith is one of approximately 1,675 people the City of Tempe has assisted with housing solutions in the past two years. Addressing homelessness was residents' top priority in the 2023 Community Survey. The City of Tempe invested $72 million last year in programs for unsheltered individuals and families, affordable housing options, and other strategies.

These investments have significant impacts daily. Keith now moves into a tidy one-bedroom apartment with amenities including a kitchen and back patio. "This is way better than what I had before. It’s hard to believe I’m here," he says.

Tempe aims to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time. Through substantial investments and innovations, the city addresses wide-ranging needs and helps more people like Keith transition off the streets into housing.

Keith lost his job as a bus driver and subsequently his apartment, leading to several weeks of homelessness. He connected with I-HELP, operated by Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA), then transitioned to Sue’s Espacio bridge shelter.

Tempe purchased this 40-room motel in 2021 as part of its bridge shelter initiative to facilitate quicker transitions from street living to planned housing. The city is currently acquiring another motel set to open as a bridge shelter next year.

A crucial step in Keith's journey was connecting with Tempe Works, the city's jobs program for unsheltered individuals approved by the City Council in 2017. The program links participants with city jobs or private employment partners while providing support for locating shelter and resources.

Through Tempe Works, Keith secured employment in the city's Solid Waste division as a truck driver delivering trash and recycling cans across the city. He relies on light rail and his bike for transportation after losing his car during his period of homelessness.

Each person experiencing homelessness has unique circumstances requiring comprehensive support systems involving city services, nonprofits, faith groups, and community organizations.

Keith's new home is half a mile from the shelter but worlds away from homelessness. His apartment complex offers amenities such as free coffee in the lobby, gathering spaces, and a pool. A passionate cook, Keith appreciates his new kitchen's stainless steel appliances and enjoys having an in-unit washer and dryer after long laundromat trips via light rail.

Keith celebrated moving into his home just before his 53rd birthday. His apartment now often smells of home-cooked meals like roasted chicken and vegetables. With renewed hope for the future, he also assists others on their journeys out of homelessness by sharing experiences and resources like bus passes or bicycle repairs.

"With my experiences with housing and income from working for Tempe Solid Waste," Holmes said, "I've been able to help others on their journey out of homelessness."

The City of Tempe encourages volunteers for various programs aimed at ending homelessness:

- Summer Point-in-Time homeless street count on July 17

- HOPE homeless outreach team

- CARE 7 crisis response team

- Employment partnerships through Tempe Works

- TCAA’s I-Help shelter

- Aris Foundation’s weekly gatherings

Further information can be found at tempe.gov/EndingHomelessness or contact Susie Steckner at susie_steckner@tempe.gov or 480-604-6128.

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