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Cities crack down on homeless encampments. Advocates say that’s not the answer
Tent encampments have long been a fixture of West Coast cities, but are now spreading across the U.S. The federal count of homeless people reached 580,000 last year, driven by lack of affordable housing, a pandemic that economically wrecked households, and lack of access to mental health and addiction treatment.
Republican leaders file brief aimed at protecting lawmakers’ ability to clear homeless encampments
Republican legislative leaders are spending $15,000 to file a legal brief designed to protect the ability of state lawmakers to enact laws to clear homeless encampments and cite those who are living on the street.
Court orders Phoenix to finish clearing homeless encampment
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ordered the City of Phoenix today to clean out the entirety of the downtown homeless camp, “the Zone,” by Nov. 4 and keep the area free of tents, biohazardous materials and crime going forward.
Scottsdale will no longer house people from ‘The Zone’ with hotel housing program
The City of Scottsdale is walking back a provision that would have sheltered people residing in a large homeless encampment in Phoenix after a Republican lawmaker’s intervention.
Schools lost track of homeless kids during the pandemic, many face steep path to recovery
By the time Aaliyah Ibarra started second grade, her family had moved five times in four years in search of stable housing. As she was about to start a new school, her mother, Bridget Ibarra, saw how much it was affecting her education.
Judge must decide timeline for Phoenix to clear out homeless camp
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge is now tasked with deciding the timeline for the city of Phoenix to clear out the 800 or so people living in the homeless camp, “the Zone.”
Attorneys for property owners in ‘the Zone’ ask for firm deadline for clearing out homeless residents
Attorneys for property owners in “the Zone” asked a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to set a firm deadline for the city of Phoenix to clear out the homeless population from the area, while the city asked the judge to allow the Office of Homeless Solutions to proceed at its own pace.
Phoenix to buy outdoor campground for homeless
The Phoenix City Council approved a proposal by the Housing Department to purchase and develop a structured outdoor campground to temporarily house people currently living in the homeless camp known as “the Zone.”
Arizona led nation for rise in homeless youth last year, HUD report says
Arizona saw the largest increase in the number of homeless youths in the nation last year, at a time when other large states were seeing those numbers decline, according to a recent federal report.
Maricopa County seeking new director for animal shelters
Maricopa County is looking for a new leader to oversee animal shelters a month after the current director was placed on leave.
Heat deaths in Arizona’s biggest county outpace last year’s
This summer was the deadliest on record for heat-associated fatalities in Arizona's largest county amid a growing wave of homelessness. Public health statistics this week confirmed a record 359 such deaths just days before the end of the six-month heat season.
Living on a mat and a sheet: Phoenix overflow shelters to close in October
The overflow shelters on the Human Services Campus are set to close by the end of October, and local officials and nonprofits are working hard to find a more permanent housing arrangement for the residents who need it.
