Cities like Phoenix in the state of Arizona are trying to address the widespread issue of
homelessness, and in this week’s policy session the City Council met with the regional agency Maricopa Association of Governments, a group that focuses on addressing problems and incentivizing government actions.
MAG has members from 27 cities and towns and three Native nations that are devoted to exploring the issue. It was formed in the late 1960s and since then, its formation has tackled community issues such as the completion of a multi-city sewage treatment plant located at 91st Avenue.
This year, they presented solutions for aiding those without homes. These solutions will await approval by the Phoenix city council in May, with an implementation plan to be addressed in August. In the last fiscal budget year alone, the city spent $20 million toward providing shelter, work and long term solutions for those experiencing homelessness, according to the city website.
Amy St. Peter, the deputy executive director of MAG, explained the strategies to the council on Tuesday. St. Peter said that a primary focus would be on the prevention of homelessness through a variety of principles, one of which would be focusing on helping those struggling with substance abuse.
“These are important considerations for people experiencing homelessness and we need to make sure that people have the help that they need when they need it the most,” Peter said.
The importance of diversity and inclusion in the decision-making process was another principle that St. Peter stressed. She explained that input would be included from those with “lived experiences” who would be able to focus on different communities throughout the region.
She had also brought some statistics to the forefront stating that in 2020, 7,400 individuals in Phoenix were homeless, which was an increase of 11 percent. Also noted was that African Americans and Native Americans were more likely to experience homelessness.
While St. Peter received a positive response from Councilmember Betty Guardado, District 5, who expressed that she would “support the work,” others like Councilmember Carlos Garcia, District 8, showed some concern that these plans might not be able to cover the gamut.
“The yearning of a regional approach, and trying to figure that out, has kept us from moving on things,” Garcia said, referring to the issue of shelters.
St. Peter assured Garcia that a regional approach to homeless shelters by making them smaller and more varied would allow for those within communities to be closer to their jobs as well as giving more immediate access to anyone nearby.
Councilmember Laura Pastor, District 4, agreed with the strategies and felt that the addressing of a plan was “long overdue.” Also stating the apparent issue that the city would not be able to solve the problem alone. She still mentioned that there would need to be another crucial piece of information.
“What I would like to see is meat to the plan,” Pastor said. She explained that there would need to be information as to who will be providing the funding and how it will be done.
Contact the reporter at jcsande6@asu.edu
