HEADLINE NEWS
State grant will allow Scottsdale to continue assisting homeless seniors and families. The Arizona Department of Housing awarded Scottsdale $940,000 from the state’s newly created Homeless Shelter and Services Fund that will allow the city to continue an existing program that provides those in need with emergency shelter at a Scottsdale hotel along with assistance from social services caseworkers and nutrition/essential needs support.
For more than a year, Scottsdale has operated a bridge housing program that provides temporary shelter combined with services and support. The effort is among the programs and services offered by Scottdale’s Human Services Department that have resulted in a 44% decrease year-over-year of people experiencing homelessness in the city.
About 84% of short-term rental properties have completed the city licensing process. As of July 3, people have submitted 3,852 short-term rental applications, and the city has approved 3,409. The remaining 443 applications are pending, incomplete, withdrawn or cancelled. In June, the city received 64 applications, issued 125 new licenses and opened 43 new code enforcement cases for short-term rental related violations.
There were an estimated 4,067 short-term rental properties operating in Scottsdale in June. Based on this estimate, about 95% of the total are in the licensing process, and 84% are licensed. In addition, over the past year, the total estimate of short-term rental properties operating in Scottsdale rose every month from July 2022 to February 2023, then declined each month since. Learn more about the rules and regulations regarding short-term/vacation rentals in Scottsdale and find resources for neighborhoods at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “short-term rentals.”
Maricopa County Air Quality Department has launched “Help Keep Ozone Away, Commit to One Day” summer campaign. You’ve been hearing about high pollution and ozone warnings recently. The city is committed to working with the county to spread the word on how we can improve air quality and raise awareness about ground-level ozone pollution. Here are a few tips:
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Drive less. Telework, walk, ride a bike, carpool, vanpool or use public transportation.
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Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines. Park your car and go inside.
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Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler, evening hours.
Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host. Here’s what’s coming up:
Free Ice Cream Socials are back at Scottsdale’s senior centers. Escape the heat, enjoy a treat:
WestWorld hosts Big Red Bull Riding. Two extremes under one roof – live heavy metal/rock and roll and live bull riding! Thirty of the top bull riders in the Southwest will be going up against some of the toughest bulls to claim the Big Red Guitar and other cash and prizes that go along with winning. The event takes place 7-10 p.m. Saturday, July 15. Costs vary; get details.
Mustang Library hosts “The Magic and Illusions of Eric Giliam.” Join us for a dazzling hour of magic, illusions and sleight of hand in this high energy show. The free program begins at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 19. Learn more.
Only 15% of child car seats are properly installed. The city provides free car seat inspections by appointment. Register here. Please book two appointments if we need to inspect two or more car seats. Once you book your appointment, you will receive an email with the details regarding your inspection, including the address of the fire station where you’ll need to go. Learn more about child safety seats.
More than 250 cases of water were donated to Scottsdale’s Hydration Stations. Long Realty Jasper Associates and Scottsdale Synchro Arizona generously donated water to the Paiute Neighborhood Center and Arabian Library. The water is provided to those seeking heat relief.
Investing in Our Scottsdale - Landscape enhancements provide shade for years to come at Mountain View Park. Parks and Recreation’s maintenance and irrigation crews collaborated on the project install new irrigation lines and plant eight new desert willow and live oak trees. The team took advantage of a new inventory of discounted trees recently acquired by the department. The enhancements will provide shade and help fill out landscaping on the south end of the parking lot. Learn more about the park.
July is Smart Irrigation Month. More than 65% of homeowners’ water use occurs outdoors. Be sure to check your irrigation system for leaks. Use the free guide, Find & Fix Leaks that are Draining Your Budget, to help you check both your home and your irrigation system.
People experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline went live Saturday morning and is designed to provide 24/7 free and confidential emotional support to those in mental health distress. The number connects the caller to a certified crisis center in the caller’s area. The hotline is made up of a network of 200 local crisis centers around the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with 45,979 deaths in 2020 … about one death every 11 minutes. An estimated 12.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt and 1.2 million attempted suicides.
Job of the Week: Old Town Marketing Manager. The successful candidate will serve as an ombudsman and resource for small businesses and correspond with the public and private businesses to enhance and promote tourism and events within Old Town Scottsdale. Duties include overseeing media relations, web and publications content, advertising and marketing, social media, communication materials, promotions, and creating and producing special events. Benefits include: 12 paid holidays; sick leave; medical, dental and vision benefits; tuition reimbursement; participation in Arizona State Retirement System; and more. Learn more and apply.
