Sept. 18, 2023 Update: The structure of the state grant funding was changed in late August, removing the Zone/Title 42 requirements. The information below has been updated reflecting that change.
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 Scottsdale’s Human Services Department that have resulted in a 44% decrease year-over-year of people experiencing homelessness in the city.
“Scottsdale is grateful to be a Homeless Shelter and Services Fund grant recipient,” Mayor David D. Ortega said. “This award bolsters our efforts to provide homeless individuals and single parent families with access to healthy, safe and decent temporary housing and supportive services.”
How the Program Works
Scottsdale rents 10 rooms in a local hotel to provide emergency housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Program eligibility requires participants to work with a caseworker to become self-sufficient and secure stable housing. To date, 84% of participants have secured housing within 30 to 90 days. Last year, this program assisted 120 individuals in Scottsdale – a number the city expects to duplicate in 2023.
Over the past year, the rooms were completely filled by those experiencing homelessness locally in Scottsdale. There have been zero public safety calls associated with individuals in this bridge housing program.
Learn more about what the city is doing to address the issue of homelessness in Scottsdale. Learn more about the Arizona Homeless Shelter and Services Fund here.
