Phoenix's unsettling choice: Officials had plans to relocate homeless to toxic industrial site but failed
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a well-intentioned but ill-fated move, Phoenix officials faced a dire conundrum in their efforts to address the homelessness crisis.
The city's plan was to relocate hundreds of unhoused individuals from an encampment near the downtown area to an industrial site at 22nd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.
However, this site had a troubling history of carcinogenic contamination from petrochemicals and heavy metals, a fact repeatedly documented in analyses dating back to 1997.
A risky gamble: Housing the homeless on poisoned land
According to Az Central, despite being aware of the contamination risks, city officials were pressed for time. Legal challenges over the handling of "The Zone," an existing homeless encampment, forced them to act swiftly.
The urgency stemmed from the approaching deadly summer heat and the need to provide shelter to the unsheltered population.
Phoenix officials opted to use the only available city-owned site large enough and zoned appropriately, hoping they could remedy the contamination quickly and house the unhoused.
However, the site assessments conducted later revealed alarming levels of toxic carcinogens and methane.
Experts even warned of a risk of combustion due to the methane levels. Mayor Kate Gallego acknowledged shortcomings in the city's approach and plans to implement changes in construction management.
City planners involved in the decision felt cornered, facing a lose-lose situation with time constraints and the urgency to address homelessness.
The failed attempt: Unveiling ill-fated shelter plan
Initially presented as an innovative solution, the shelter plans at the industrial site boasted solar-powered shipping container homes.
Despite investing $3 million in these top-of-the-line units and envisioning a solution that offered privacy, air conditioning, and dignity to the homeless population, the contaminated land revealed itself as an insurmountable obstacle.
The contamination reports, dating back to the late '90s, highlighted harmful pollutants in the soil, raising questions about the suitability of the site for human habitation.
The levels of toxic substances such as benzene, chloroform, and vinyl chloride exceeded safety standards, posing severe health risks, including cancer, respiratory issues, and acute physical hazards.
The fallout: Reflections, challenges, and future plans
City officials faced criticism for their haste in decision-making and acknowledged the need for better expertise in managing construction projects.
Mayor Gallego emphasized the urgency in finding housing solutions for the homeless, expressing a preference for smaller, more dispersed facilities with personalized services.
The failed attempt to house the homeless on contaminated land not only disrupted plans to relocate them but also left the city scrambling to find alternative locations.
Despite the setback, officials remain committed to finding suitable shelter options, learning from this unfortunate experience to avoid repeating similar mistakes in the future.
The industrial site at Lower Buckeye Road and 22nd Avenue remains in limbo, with plans for remediation unclear.
Meanwhile, the unhoused individuals affected by this ordeal have been relocated to various temporary housing options, including communal shelters and hotel spaces, while a structured campground has been opened to house approximately 300 people.
Internet condemns Phoenix's homeless relocation failure
The Facebook community reacted with a mix of dismay, frustration, and pointed criticism as Phoenix officials' failure to relocate the homeless to a safe spot and anguish over why a contaminated area was chosen in the first place.
One user wrote, "Wowee, sad. Folks forget we all human."
Another replied, "As if there aren't hotels, strip malls, and shopping malls completely empty and abandoned that could be used. No, it's better to give all the people who can't afford a place to live life-threatening illnesses. I'm sure they can afford treatment, yeah? Horrible."
"And they spent how much on a new HQ for the PPD again?", commented one.
"Elena Marin It’s called the USA where we have two classes of people and where the undesirables are constantly getting screwed over just ask women and people of color." replied another.