Phoenix empties 'The Zone' but solutions to contain growing homeless population are not coming fast enough
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Phoenix is reportedly grappling with an escalating issue - homelessness. The city recently cleared out 'The Zone', a vast homeless encampment in the downtown area.
However, it seems that measures to control and reduce the burgeoning homeless population are not being executed as quickly as needed.
'The Zone' crisis
'The Zone', as it was generally referred to, had turned into a representation of the city's intensifying homelessness issue. This area had become a temporary refuge for a large number of the city's homeless individuals, per KJZZ.
However, due to rising health and safety concerns, the city made the decision to dismantle ‘The Zone’.
How many people are homeless in Maricopa County?
In the span of the previous year, Maricopa County saw an alarming increase in homelessness, with over 13,000 individuals losing their homes.
One such individual was Jay Duval. After his roommate left and he found himself unable to afford an apartment. Therefore, he resorted to setting up a tent in the downtown area. "They wanted $1,200 a month for a studio. That's crazy," Duval stated.
Kevin Kirchhoff is another individual who found himself in a homeless shelter after he came to Phoenix seeking treatment for addiction.
Similarly, DeArrio Lowery moved to the city in search of job opportunities, but with limited funds and no place to stay, he ended up homeless.
Raquel Parra, a lifelong resident of Phoenix, also experienced homelessness for the first time last winter. "I had an apartment out there on 59th Avenue and Northern, and I was wrongfully evicted," they mentioned.
Status of the homeless population in Metro Phoenix
The homeless population in Metro Phoenix has seen a staggering increase of 50% over the past five years. This significant rise has reportedly occurred despite concerted efforts from the city, county, and state to tackle the issue.
A notable instance was a court case that mandated the city of Phoenix to dismantle its largest encampment of people without shelter.
Earlier this month, the city completed the task of clearing the area, relocating hundreds of individuals into new, temporary shelters.
However, while the city fulfilled its court-imposed deadline to address homelessness in one particular neighborhood, numerous signs indicate that the crisis is intensifying across the region.
What did the Human Services Campus CEO say?
Amy Schwabenlender, CEO of Human Services Campus, a central hub of homelessness organizations in downtown Phoenix, expressed the hope that people would not overlook the broader issue.
Amy stated, "I hope people don’t lose sight of the fact that whatever happens right here around us, that’s not the totality of homelessness in Maricopa County."
Schwabenlender pointed out that the ban on camping in several blocks around the campus merely made homelessness less conspicuous in Phoenix, without addressing the root of the problem.
As Phoenix was in the process of clearing the encampment known as 'the Zone', the overall homeless population in the region continued to rise.
According to the Maricopa Association of Governments, for every 10 homeless individuals who find housing in the county, an alarming 19 people are becoming homeless.
"The problem isn’t just persisting, it’s growing," said Jackson Fonder, the CEO of UMOM, which is the largest shelter for homeless families in the state.
Families on priority lists
Fonder highlights that metro Phoenix is experiencing a daily influx of more than 150 residents, which is exerting continuous strain on the housing market.
Since 2019, rents have surged by nearly 40%, making housing increasingly unaffordable for those earning low wages. With many forms of assistance provided during the pandemic era coming to an end, eviction filings in Maricopa County have hit unprecedented levels.
Simultaneously, the demand for shelter at UMOM has reached a record high.
"The number of families on our Priority 1 and Priority 2 lists right now is 311," Fonder stated. "I’ve been at UMOM three years, that’s the first time we’ve hit the number 300."
Fonder revealed that families are now facing an eight-week wait to secure a place in the shelter. The scarcity of affordable housing is making it increasingly difficult for families in the shelter to find permanent accommodation. According to Fonder, this is leading to a bottleneck situation.
What could be the call for action to reduce homelessness in Phoenix?
This year, state lawmakers have reportedly made an unprecedented investment in the state's Housing Trust Fund.
Since 2020, the county Board of Supervisors has allocated half a billion dollars towards housing solutions. The city of Phoenix has added more than 1,000 shelter beds since 2022 and plans to add nearly 800 more in the next two years.
Rachel Milne, from Phoenix’s Office of Homeless Solutions, stated that while shelter beds won’t address the root causes of housing instability, the city has made an extraordinary effort over the past six months to bring those living in 'The Zone' indoors. She emphasized that the work will not stop there.
"The things that we really need to focus on as a region is preventing as many people as possible from experiencing homelessness, and once they do, helping them exit quickly to a permanent housing destination," Milne stated.
Solutions are not coming fast enough
Jackson Fonder, however, expressed concern that the solutions being offered by the state, county, and city are not being implemented quickly enough.
For the time being, he asserts that his organization, along with others, will continue to do its utmost to help those without shelter, even as the waiting list for services continues to lengthen.
"Whatever we're doing is not enough, we’ve got to do more," Fonder stated. He emphasized the need for action rather than conversations, saying, "I just want more people grabbing a shovel and doing things rather than another darn task force or a meeting to talk about what the problem is."