Homelessness and Panhandling in Scottsdale

Homelessness is a complex social problem that impacts our community and those who are experiencing it. There are no easy or fast solutions. The City of Scottsdale works in collaboration with community partners to connect people in need with resources, services, and programs with the goal of making homelessness brief, rare, and non-recurring.

Report a concern relating to homelessness.

Beginning in 2020 the City of Scottsdale has initiated contracts with three organizations to work more directly and comprehensively with those experiencing street homelessness.  Following are the organizations and contact information:

Phoenix Rescue Mission – Scottsdale Works/Brick by Brick

Phoenix Rescue Mission engages with people experiencing homelessness as well through a work program called Scottsdale Works. Three times a week for five hours a day up to 5 people experiencing homelessness a day are paid $12/hour to work directly on City of Scottsdale sites. Most often the work assignment is with Brick by Brick but could also take place with other city departments doing jobs like helping clean a local park. In addition to earning a wage, participants receive breakfast, lunch, and are connected to other resources and assistance through the Street Outreach and Navigation case managers. To contact the Scottsdale Works program please call 602-339-2977 or email willwork@phxmission.org.

Community Bridges – New Faces Day Relief Centers and Outreach and Navigation

The Day Relief Centers are coordinated by a collaboration between New Faces, a partnership of Scottsdale faith communities, and the local non-profit Community Bridges (CBI). Individuals and families experiencing homelessness can access assistance on Mondays and Fridays at two sites. Currently they have access to services from Community Bridges and other agency partners. Lunch is also provided and people have access to clothing and additional food items. People are able to take a rest for as long as the center is open on sleeping mats and to charge electronic devices. These are locations for respite, necessities, and connection to a wider array of services and resources. For services, contact the CBI Access to Care line at 602-273-9999.

Day Relief Center hours of operation:

• 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mondays at Scottsdale Presbyterian Church
• 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fridays at Vista Del Camino Center

St Joseph The Worker – Workforce Villages

St Joseph The Worker is a local non-profit that is contracted with the City of Scottsdale to provide Temporary shelter to people experiencing homelessness who are employed. Clients are provided wrap around case management services to help them reach their goal of long-term stable housing. St Joseph the worker also offers one on one job coaching, resume support, uniform assistance, transportation assistance, and employment specialists to help individuals find jobs. For more information, visit sjwjobs.org or contact 844-SJW-JOBS.

ELAINE

ELAINE is a local non-profit that is contracted with the City of Scottsdale to provide transportation services to people experiencing homelessness to social determinants of health. These are services & programs outside of healthcare appointments covered by AHCCCS health plans. Social determinants of health include connecting individuals to food security, employment, economic opportunity (DES, bank, etc...) housing, social cohesion programs, and necessary errands. Contact Scott to check for ride availability - call or text 602-909-3702

Many people do not realize that donating to agencies dedicated to helping people in need such as churches, shelters and food banks may be a better way to help the homeless versus providing individual contributions. Scottsdale Human Services Division has partnered with the Scottsdale Community Partners (SCP) organization to fund programs such as Healthy Packs, Vista del Camino Homeless Services, the Gleaners Food Program, Transportation Assistance Program, Emergency Youth Program, and the P.E.T. Pantry.

Learn more or Donate to SCP

While there are many laws that potentially impact those who are experiencing homelessness, being homeless is not a crime. Along with homelessness, panhandling by itself is also not a crime. The courts have consistently ruled that panhandling or begging for money is a protected activity under the First Amendment as long as it is done on public property where members of the public are generally entitled to be such as public sidewalks and parks. Panhandlers do not have a right to beg on private property unless granted permission by the private property owners. Private property owners have a right to trespass both panhandlers and people experiencing homelessness from their properties. Panhandlers on public property may not disturb the peace, obstruct public thoroughfares, litter or threaten passersby while engaging in panhandling.

Finally, not all panhandlers are homeless and not all people experiencing homelessness are engaged in panhandling.

It is Unlawful to be in City parks and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve After Hours. City parks are closed to all visitors from 10:30 p.m. until sunrise. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is closed from sunset to sunrise. This means that someone who is hiking, camping or otherwise within a city park or the Preserve during the aforementioned hours is violating the law. A person may not camp on private property without a property owner’s permission and regardless of whether it involves public or private property depending on the circumstances such camping activity may violate other state laws or city ordinances (e.g. illegal burning, unlawful dumping etc.).